Profile of Mr. Arthur M. Lopez

Mr. Arthur Monroy Lopez, a native of Zamboanga City, is an accomplished hotelier with an impeccable eye for detail. He is the current President of the Philippine Hotel Owners Association (PHOA) which is the largest group of hotel owners and developers.

Throughout his distinguished career spanning over five decades, Mr. Lopez has consistently demonstrated his unparalleled expertise and commitment to delivering exceptional service, solidifying his status as a trailblazer in the hospitality industry.

One of Mr. Lopez's recent notable achievements was his active role in PHOA's effort to collect 1.7 billion pesos to pay hotel members during the pandemic. His dedicated leadership and commitment to the association have played a crucial role in ensuring financial support to struggling hotels and advancing the interests of the industry as a whole.

Mr. Lopez's journey in the hospitality industry began as a management trainee assigned to the “front of the house” that covered the operations of Bell Service transportation, and the Front Desk, at Manila Hilton International (now known as Waterfront Manila Pavilion Hotel).? Through hard work and determination, he quickly climbed the ranks and held esteemed managerial positions in renowned hotel brands across Asia and the Pacific. Notably, he made history as the first Filipino general manager appointed by an international chain hotel.

Throughout his career, Mr. Lopez has demonstrated exceptional leadership and management skills.? He served as General Manager of Sheraton Hotels in Australia and New Zealand and Area Manager of three (3) Sheraton Hotels in the Northern Territory namely in Darwin, Ayers Rock, and Alice Springs.

Additionally, he held the position of Vice President of ITT Sheraton in Boston and other top international brands such as Westin Philippine Plaza Hotel, Country Manager Philippines of Starwood Hotels and Resorts, Regional Director for Asia Pacific of CCA International Ltd., manager of 45 business clubs worldwide which included the Tower Club Manila and? Palmerston Hotels & Resorts, Philippine Representative of Caesar's Palace Manila and Management Consultant at the Rarotongan Beach Resort & Spa and the Aitutaki Lagoon Resort and Spa in Cook Islands.

In 2019, Mr. Lopez was part of the official delegation during the state visit of the former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad to the Philippines. He served as the adviser of His Excellency for the development of tourism in Langkawi. He was also the Owner’s Representative and Advisor of Four Points by Sheraton Kuching, Sheraton Beach Resort Langkawi, Helang Airport Hotel Langkawi, Malaysia, Santubong Resort Langkawi, Malaysia and Four Points by Sheraton Langkawi in Malaysia.? He negotiated the management contract and conversion to franchise agreement with Starwood Hotels and Resorts of these properties in Malaysia.? Mr. Arthur M. Lopez is an accomplished hotelier with an impeccable eye for detail. He is currently the President of the Philippine Hotel Owners Association (PHOA), the largest group of hotel owners, investors and developers in the country.

Throughout his distinguished career over five decades, Mr. Lopez has consistently demonstrated his unparalleled expertise and commitment to delivering exceptional service, solidifying his status as a trailblazer in the hospitality industry.

Mr. Lopez's journey in the hospitality industry began as a management trainee. Through hard work and determination, he quickly climbed the ranks and held esteemed managerial positions in renowned hotel brands in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and the Philippines. He has the distinction of being the first Filipino general manager appointed by an international chain hotel overseas.

Mr. Lopez's dedication to the global hospitality industry led him to establish the AML Hotel Consultancy. As the Owner and Principal Consultant of this firm, he has provided invaluable management services to numerous hotels, resorts and other tourism enterprises, locally and internationally. Among some of the projects he was involved with are the Solaire Hotel and Casino in the Entertainment City, Para?aque, the Emerald Hotel & Casino in Mactan, Cebu, the Wyndham Garden in Quezon City and Silang, Cavite, the Azumar Siargao Resort in Surigao Del Norte, and the Bellevue Resorts and Hotels. Throughout his career, he has worked directly with the owners of all major developers in the country in various capacities.

In addition to his consultancy work, Mr. Lopez sits as Chairman of the Board of Waterfront Manila Hotel and Casino and Vice Chairman and Director of Waterfront Hotels and Casinos. He also serves in various advisory roles for Double Dragon Properties Corporation, owner of Hotel 101 Manila and Hotel 101 Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

Mr. Lopez remains active in key projects involving the Philippine Hotel Owners Association and the Department of Tourism, particularly the upgrading of the National Accommodation Standards. His dedication and passion for his work serves as an inspiration to young Filipino hoteliers, motivating them to work hard, and strive for competitiveness and maintain world-class standards.

No other hotelier in the Philippines has reached the stature of Mr. Arthur M. Lopez. With his extensive experience in diverse hotel positions, he possesses an intimate knowledge of every aspect of hotel management.? His legacy as a pioneer, leader, and mentor continues to shape the future of the hospitality industry in the Philippines, setting a remarkable example for aspiring highly-driven hoteliers to follow and emulate.

His contributions to the Philippine hospitality are equally commendable. Mr. Lopez has been instrumental in the success of international chain hotels, including Manila Hilton International and ANA Hotels’ Century Park Sheraton Manila. He was the first to tap the lucrative market in the Middle East in the 1980's.

With his deep understanding of this multifaceted industry, he has excelled in areas such as in Front Office, Sales and Marketing, Food & Beverage, and Hotel Management and Operations.

Mr. Lopez's dedication to the global hospitality industry led him to establish the AML Hotel Consultancy. As the Owner and Principal Consultant of this firm, he has provided invaluable management services to numerous accommodation establishments, locally and internationally.

Notable projects included the following: Project Hotel and Hotel Technical Consultant for the Solaire Hotel and Casino in the Entertainment City, Para?aque City, for the Emerald Hotel & Casino in Mactan, Cebu, the Wyndham Garden in Quezon City, and the Azumar Siargao Resort, in Surigao Del Norte, Northeastern Mindanao.

In addition to his consultancy work, Mr. Lopez sits in the Board as Chairman of Waterfront Manila Hotel and Casino, Vice Chairman and Director of Waterfront Hotels and Casinos, and serves in various advisory roles for Double Dragon Properties Corporation, owner of Hotel 101 Manila and Hotel 101 Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.? He also served as the Hotel Management Consultant and Director for the Bellevue Hotels and B Hotels. Mr. Lopez was appointed by the Sheraton Corp. to bid for The Manila Hotel. After such a successful bid of the hotel., he was assigned as its first-ever Project Director and General Manager.

Mr. Lopez remains active in key projects involving the Department of Tourism and the Philippine Hotel Owners Association on National Accommodation Standards. His dedication and passion for his work serve as an inspiration to young Filipino hoteliers, motivating them to work hard, and strive for competitiveness and maintain world-class standards.

Mr. Lopez was based in Hong Kong – that is until Henry Sy, Sr. convinced him to return to the Philippines. He has since directly provided management consultancy to Andrew Tan, his first client, as well as to Carlos Chan, Isidro Consunji, Ed Injap, George Ty, and Dennis Uy. No other hotelier in the Philippines has reached the stature of Mr. Arthur Monroy Lopez. With his extensive experience in diverse hotel positions, he possesses an intimate knowledge of every aspect of hotel management, from construction, procurement, recruiting, training to the operation and expansion of the hotel.? His legacy as a pioneer, leader, and mentor continues to shape the future of the hospitality industry in the Philippines, setting a remarkable example for aspiring highly-driven hoteliers to follow and emulate.

As of December 2023.