After Behind-the-Scenes Drama, Okada Manila Says It's Business as Usual

In recent months, Okada Manila has been hogging headlines more for the power struggle involving two factions competing for ownership and control happening behind the scenes than for what it offers to guests. 

But after recent events, which saw the group of Tiger Resort Leisure and Entertainment Inc. (TRLEI) regain control of operations, the integrated resort-casino is bent on focusing its efforts toward attracting more visitors and providing them with more options for dining and entertainment.

TRLEI is a unit of Tiger Resort Asia Ltd., which owns 99.9 percent of shares in Okada Manila.

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Driven by the revitalized demand for gaming and recreation, Okada Manila said it is expected to “finish strong” this 2022 as it plans to open more retail outlets and beef up its casino and hotel operations. 

During a press engagement on Wednesday, TRLEI President Byron Yip said the integrated casino resort is “optimistic” that it would end the year “on a high note.”

Yip cited the 355-percent surge in foot traffic that the integrated casino report recorded during the first nine months of the year as an indicator of growth and recovery. The rise in visitors is driven largely by the steady influx of foreign and local guests.

“We at Okada Manila are seeing green shoots of recovery from when the pandemic struck the Philippines in 2020. Through the collaboration of our employees and leaders, Okada Manila was able to record more than two folds growth in our monthly foot traffic. With the revitalization of the travel, hospitality, gaming, and entertainment sectors we are optimistic that we will continue to ride on a growth momentum and end 2022 on a positive note,” he said. 

To meet the demand for its services, Okada Manila has expanded its retail business, revamped some of its restaurants, and opened a new VIP club.

New boutiques have opened at the property, including Tommy Hilfiger, Michael Kors, Charriol, and Lacoste, among many others. Others are expected to open in the coming months.

The integrated casino resort has also reopened some of its restaurants, including La Piazza Ristorante Italiano, which features a revamped menu. For gaming, Okada Manila recently opened the Perlas VIP club.

Okada Manila has also opened more of its function halls, including the Executive Lounge and the Glass Ballroom, for face-to-face events. It also reopened The Fountain, its iconic multicolored water feature.

Over the last few months, the casino resort was embroiled in an intra-corporate case that involved a violent takeover by businessman Kazuo Okada and his cohorts. 

However, officials of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation ordered the reinstatement of the board of directors of TRLEI, while allowing Kazuo to temporarily remain a board member by virtue of a status quo ante order by the Supreme Court. 

“We at Okada Manila are optimistic about these new developments,” Yip said. “It is our goal to be the premier integrated resort not just in the Philippines, but in Asia. We’re looking forward to working with all our stakeholders towards a stronger end-of-year as we welcome 2023.”