Westside Resort set for year-end opening, Newport 9-month EBITDA up 8pct: parent

Philippine conglomerate Alliance Global Group Inc says the US$1.25-billion Westside Resort casino complex (pictured in a rendering) in Manila is scheduled to open by the end of 2026. In a Thursday filing, the company also said its existing Manila casino business reported an 8-percent year-on-year increase in earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) for the first nine months of the year. Travellers International Hotel Group Inc, owner and operator of Newport World Resorts, recorded EBITDA of PHP6.1 billion (US$95.8 million) for the nine months to September 30, according to Alliance Global’s results announcement filed with the Philippine Stock Exchange. “With Westside Resorts Manila set to open by year-end, we are adding new leisure capacity to a group that is already gaining momentum,” said Kevin Tan, president and chief executive of Alliance Global, in prepared remarks. The Westside Resort development, located in Manila’s Entertainment City casino district, is being undertaken through Entertainment City Resorts Corp, an entity majority controlled by Travellers International and Alliance Global, following a restructuring involving Philippine-listed Suntrust Resort Holdings Inc. The project is expected to feature more than 2,500 hotel rooms across three brands, over 2,000 gaming machines and tables, as well as restaurants, retail outlets and entertainment facilities. Travellers International CEO, Nilo Thaddeus Rodriguez, said in September 2025 that the property would have a phased opening, with full completion targeted for 2027. Alliance Global did not provide an updated construction timetable or a precise opening date for Westside Resort in Thursday’s announcement. The development is also linked to the 1,530-room Mövenpick Manila Bay Westside hotel, part of Alliance Global’s subsidiary Megaworld Corp’s hospitality portfolio. The hotel, connected to the casino resort via a sky bridge, is also scheduled to open under the Mövenpick brand before the end of 2026. Regarding Travellers International’s financial performance, the parent said the casino operator recorded net revenue of PHP23.1 billion for the first nine months of 2026, “as growth in non-gaming revenues offset softer VIP gaming revenue”. Non-gaming revenue increased by 16 percent year-on-year to PHP5.9 billion during the reporting period. Growth in the segment accelerated to 23 percent in the third quarter, when hotel and food and beverage revenue rose by 11 percent, the parent said. Alliance Global said operating costs at Travellers International remained steady during the first nine months, supporting the year-on-year increase in EBITDA. Travellers International generated EBITDA of approximately PHP1.7 billion in the third quarter, on net revenue of PHP7.9 billion, according to GGRAsia’s calculations. Newport World Resorts, located opposite Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport, features casino gaming facilities, several hotels, restaurants, retail outlets and entertainment venues. The property has five international hotel brands, offering a combined 2,742 rooms. Plans have also been announced for the 157-room Narra Palm Hotel and Villa at the complex.