LISTED hotel operator Waterfront Philippines Inc. (WPI) is expanding its client base by tapping into new markets such as Russia, India and South Africa.

In an interview, company president Kenneth Gatchalian said the plan involves aggressive-marketing activities to be carried out by their sales division.

“Our salespeople will be sent to trade expositions to these countries and they will make presentations and talk with people connected with tourism agencies,” he said.

WPI, which operates a chain of Waterfront hotels in Manila, Cebu and Davao, considers China, South Korea and Japan as its biggest markets to date.

The company said it is spending P5 billion in the next two years to acquire at least four existing hotels with casino operations as it projects that the country’s tourism industry will continue to flourish.

Gatchalian said the acquisition was in line with the group’s strategy to provide the market with first-class hotels. At present, WPI has under its portfolio four major hotels, namely, the Manila Pavilion; Waterfront Cebu City Casino Hotel in Lahug, Cebu; Waterfront Mactan Casino Hotel, also in Cebu; and the Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao.

“We would like to expand our business through acquisitions. We are now in talks with various parties but because of confidentiality limitations, we cannot elaborate on the details,” he said.

Gatchalian said they are very much interested in establishing their presence in key areas like Manila, Ortigas, Bay Area along Roxas Boulevard, Cagayan de Oro and Iloilo.

WPI, which is largely owned by the Wellex Group, led by plastics king William Gatchalian, will fund the acquisitions through internally generated cash and contributions from affiliates.

In 2007 the company reported a rise in net income of P163 million from only P18 million in 2006. The growth was attributed to the company’s aggressive expansion of its international and domestic distribution network, as well as its continued thrust to improve products and services.

WPI remains bullish that despite the entry of new competition in the cities where its hotels operate, revenues and profits will continue to grow and even surpass revenue marks.

LISTED hotel operator Waterfront Philippines Inc. (WPI) is expanding its client base by tapping into new markets such as Russia, India and South Africa.

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