By Veronica Uy
Just as Marco Polo’s historic travels redefined exploration and opened gateways for cultural exchange, Marco Polo Hotels seeks to reshape the hospitality industry in the Philippines. By embracing new travel trends, the Hong Kong-based hotel chain is set to redefine luxury and service in the Philippines.
Thomas Salg, president of Wharf Hotels and 3 chains namely, Niccolo, Marco Polo and Maqo Hotels which owns and manages Marco Polo Hotels in Hong Kong, China, and the Philippines, notes the following trends of the industry in the country:
- More face-to-face business conferences.
As the domestic economy in the Philippines begins to recover from the pandemic, there is a renewed focus on face-to-face interactions and relationship-building.
Salg says, “Face-to-face will come again. It’s the need of people, it’s the need of business, it’s the need of relationships.”
And Marco Polo Hotels is poised to capitalize on this resurgence by strengthening its regional presence and fostering deeper connections within the Asia-Pacific region.
- Growing demand for leisure travel, and the blurring lines between leisure and business travel post pandemic.
“There’s more demand on leisure traveling now. People really start to enjoy their free time. People love to take three, four vacations a year. So there’s a whole other traveling pattern of a new generation coming up,” he says.
This shift necessitates reevaluating traditional hospitality models, blending leisure and business to cater to modern travelers’ multifaceted needs.
- Expanding into resort hotels.
Salg notes, “We’ve also learned that in the past, we would always say, these are leisure hotels, these are business hotels. We’re realizing that a business traveler wants to also enjoy his stay in a hotel. And a leisure traveler also still needs to check his emails or do a little bit of business on the side.”
This new category of business-leisure travelers seeks destinations that cater to both work and relaxation. They might travel for business but extend their stay for leisure, requiring hotels to offer amenities that serve both purposes. Marco Polo Hotels is responding to this trend by exploring smaller properties and resorts in the Philippines to attract these multi-purpose travelers.
- Opening hotel-apartment combos.
Marco Polo Hotels is also innovating with mixed-use opportunities, combining hotel services with branded apartments. This model caters to short-term visitors and provides long-term stay options for guests seeking a more permanent residence with hotel-like services. This flexible approach aligns with the evolving preferences of travelers who value a blend of leisure, work, and extended stays.
- Travel bug cutting across generations.
Travel is no longer defined by age, as people of all generations seek new destinations and experiences.
Salg observes, “We realize that traveling has nothing to do with age anymore. We see a much wider range of people traveling, people seeking new destinations, different experiences while they are traveling.” Today’s travelers are more interested in cultural immersion, local cuisine, and unique experiences rather than just safety and comfort.
Focusing on these trends and providing authentic experiences, Marco Polo Hotels sees its own future to be one of discovery, adaptation, and excellence, mirroring the spirit of its namesake’s legendary travels.
