As multi-property vice president at Marriott International Philippines and general manager of Marriott Manila, Bruce Winton is undoubtedly a driving force in ushering the global hotel chain’s “golden era of expansion” in the Philippines.
By FRANCINE Y. MEDINA
Marriott Manila Hotel, Courtyard by Marriott in Iloilo and the Sheraton Manila — these are just some of the properties overseen by Bruce Winton, a veteran hotelier who has honed his craft as part of the Marriott family for 34 years.
His expertise in business and inspiring leadership skills have even caught the admiration of Marriott International, which has named him “General Manager of the Year” for Marriott Asia-Pacific in 2012 and in 2017. In 2018, Marriott Hotel Manila was recognized “Hotel of the Year” for Marriott in the Asia-Pacific Region.
But for Winton, these victories aren’t mere testaments to his personal skill or business acumen. Rather, he insists that they, too, speak volumes about the hard work and dedication of his teams in these properties.
“I’ve never had as much fun as I’ve had in the Philippines,” starts off Winton. “We have so many creative, talented, young and enthusiastic people here. It’s really a joy to see their willingness in trying new things. Their energy is really, really refreshing.”
Such rich talent and natural warmth is not wasted under the leadership of this Scottish-born gent. “If you can tap such resources properly and effectively, and if you can inspire them, then you can really get so much done,” he points out.
And that is exactly what he is doing for the Marriott brand, which celebrates its 15th year in the Philippines.
Open doors
Prior to being recognized as one of the most innovative captains in the industry, Winton took up a bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Administration at the University of Southern New Hampshire in Manchester. He took his knowledge further by completing a High Performance Leadership Certificate through Cornell University and Executive Education in Driving Performance at Harvard Business School.
Winton first entered the proverbial door of the hospitality industry as a young culinary intern more than a few decades ago. He spent 19 years in Boston and Washington D.C. in the United States, before moving to Seoul, South Korea in 2008.
Wherever he might be in the world, Winton’s passion for the industry remains consistent. “I just love the vibe, the energy of a hotel, especially a busy hotel like the Marriott Manila. There’s always something going on. You know, the enthusiasm, the people enjoying themselves, the dynamic environment,” he says.
How he landed in the archipelago appears to be a matter of destiny. Winton, who is married to a Filipina, Christina Diaz, with whom he has two children (Alexandra and Colin), once shared the story of how his in-laws “pointed him to the right direction,” so to speak.
During one of their vacations, Christina’s relatives pointed to a big excavation area across from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Terminal 3) in what was then known as Resorts World Manila. It was the site of the soon-to-rise Marriott Manila Hotel. They suggested that it would perhaps be wonderful if he worked there when it opened. Winton was working in Washington, D.C. at that time.
A few years later, after an assignment in Seoul, South Korea, in 2010, he was appointed general manager of Cebu City Marriott Hotel. By 2013, he became the Marriott Manila’s general manager. And the rest, as they say, is history.
True service in giving back
Winton is a believer of the basic Marriott philosophy of “putting people first and serving the world.” He takes an active part in the group’s corporate social responsibility programs as one of the founders of the Marriott Worldwide Business Councils – the Philippines. The council organizes benefit events with groups like Save the Children, the Philippine National Red Cross and the Philippine School for the Deaf, among others.
“(CSR) is part of our business, it’s not just an extra. Helping the community, making an impact in society is empowering not just for the properties, generally, but for the employees who give their time, as well. It’s also about sustainability and the right way of doing business,” he adds.
Sustainability is also something that Winton and company place in high regard. “When the pandemic happened, sustainability was all over the headlines,” he says, “It was on everybody’s priority list. And if I may humbly say so, the team here at Marriott Manila has adhered to this mindset longer than that,” reminds Winton.
In keeping with Marriott’s global sustainability campaign, Marriott Manila had already practiced sustainable sourcing of raw materials and ingredients, effective food waste management, reduced use of plastics and similar products in the last 10 years. These green initiatives, according to him, help the brand mitigate the risks of climate change.
“When all our Philippine properties joined the cause, we collectively played a bigger role in contributing to the awareness and practice of sustainability in the industry,” he tells PeopleAsia.
Golden era of expansion
In January 2021, Winton was appointed multi-property vice president for the Philippines of Marriott International, where he leads the group’s “golden era of expansion in the country.” As torchbearer of the Marriott brand in this part of the world, he made sure that the world’s biggest hotel chain would also become one of the fastest-growing hotel brands in the country.
On top of Marriott Manila, the group has opened a number of hotels for its other brands in the Philippines, namely Sheraton, Westin, Four Points by Sheraton, Fairfield and Courtyard.
Winton believes that exciting times lie ahead for the Marriott group, especially with the opening of two properties — the AC Hotel by Marriott in Ortigas and the Fairfield Mahi in Mactan, Cebu — either at the end of this year or in early 2025.
More development projects are ongoing within Metro Manila, Bohol, Davao, New Clark City and Palawan. In 2023, Marriott opened three properties: Westin Manila Ortigas, Four Points by Sheraton in Boracay and Fairfield by Marriott in Cebu.
The multi-property vice president couldn’t agree more about feeling bullish for the country next year: “We’re looking forward to the continued growth, the improvements in infrastructure, whether it’s the airports, the support services, the broader distribution of hotels. And Marriott’s goal is, of course, to be everywhere,” he notes.
Photography by DIX PEREZ
Art direction by DEXTER FRANCIS DE VERA
Grooming by LARS CABANACAN
Shot on location at Marriott Manila Hotel
