Philippines casino resort Okada Manila says it is strengthening its focus on attracting Japanese outbound travellers, including enhanced services tailored to visitors from Japan, and the launch of a dedicated guest lounge.
The Okada Manila complex is controlled by Tiger Resort, Leisure and Entertainment Inc, a subsidiary of Japanese conglomerate Universal Entertainment Corp.
The Manila casino resort said in a Thursday statement that changing travel preferences among Japanese consumers and the recovery of overseas travel demand had prompted the group to expand support services and improve the overall guest experience for Japanese patrons.
Okada Manila described Japan as an “important target market” and said it was implementing a range of initiatives aimed at providing greater “comfort, language support and personalised services” for Japanese guests.
As part of the effort, the property announced last month the launch of “Ariake”, described as a gaming club designed for Japanese VIP guests.
Ariake is part of the overall strategy of attracting international premium players, per Okada Manila.
The club is said to feature a selection of table games and “premium gaming machines”. It also offers a “private table games salon,” to promote a sense of exclusivity to customers, according to the announcement.
In Thursday’s announcement, Okada Manila mentioned enhancing support for international visitors, including service delivery in relevant languages, and in hospitality and facilities designed to meet “cultural preferences and usage” requirements.
It would in particular continue to boost services and guest offerings for the Japanese market as it seeks to position itself as a “preferred overseas destination” for travellers from Japan, according to the statement.
In May, Universal Entertainment acknowledged that the gaming industry in the Philippines continued to “face structural headwinds,” as Okada Manila’s first-quarter results “fell short” from a year earlier.
“We recognise that the gaming market in Entertainment City, Manila, Philippines, remains in a period of adjustment,” the parent said in its first-quarter earnings report.
“Against the backdrop of structural changes in the VIP market, fierce competition with rivals to acquire mass-market customers continues, driving up customer acquisition costs,” it added.
The group also announced the launch of the “Okada Play” online gaming platform last month in partnership with gaming technology provider PhilWeb Corp.
