CEBU CITY — AppleOne Group Vice President for Hospitality Samantha Manigsaca took center stage as Chair of the Organizing Committee for Cebu Hotel Connect 2026, held September 24-25 at Sheraton Cebu Mactan Resort. The landmark event marked the first Philippine Hotel Connect staged outside Metro Manila, signaling Cebu's emergence as a premier tourism and investment hub.
A Historic First for VisMin Hospitality
The two-day conference gathered over 150 investors, developers, hotel operators, government officials, and tourism stakeholders under the theme "The Southern Boom: Expanding Hotel Investment Opportunities Across Visayas and Mindanao." Organized by the Philippine Hotel Owners Association in partnership with AppleOne Group and the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority, the event underscored the region's growing contribution to Philippine hospitality.
PHOA Executive Director Benito Bengzon Jr. said Cebu was selected because of its rapid development and strategic role as an economic, tourism, and transportation hub. The gathering promoted meaningful connections and showcased the region's competitive investment potential. It represents the third edition of PHOA's national forum series.
Manigsaca's Rising Leadership
Manigsaca, the youngest PHOA board member, was appointed to lead the organizing committee at the association's annual general membership meeting in June. She also sits on the PHOA board of directors, reflecting her rapid ascent in the industry. Her leadership placed a Cebuano voice at the forefront of national hospitality conversations.
As a Cebu-rooted developer, AppleOne Group's portfolio includes the Sheraton Cebu Mactan Resort and the newly opened Fairfield by Marriott Cebu Mactan. The company is also developing the JW Marriott Panglao Island Resort in Bohol and the Radisson Hotel in Cagayan de Oro City. These projects demonstrate Manigsaca's capacity to deliver world-class hospitality across VisMin.
Investments, Connectivity, and AI
The conference featured keynote presentations, industry panels, capacity-building sessions, and trade exhibitions. Investment sessions focused on mixed-use developments, public-private partnerships, and regional growth opportunities. Connectivity discussions highlighted Cebu's role as a strategic Asia-Pacific gateway.
An AI utilization track introduced hotel operators to next-generation tools optimizing operations and guest experiences. Manigsaca said the event provides a strategic platform to channel momentum into long-term partnerships. Attendees explored how to capitalize on Cebu's expanding connectivity and growing MICE tourism sector.
A P387-Billion Commitment to Tourism
Leechiu Property Consultants Director Alfred Lay delivered market projections showing a pipeline of 45,884 hotel keys from 2026 to 2032. This represents a P387-billion commitment from the hotel development industry, a 55 percent jump from two years ago. The expansion is expected to generate 64,000 direct jobs.
Notable openings in 2026 include Mandarin Oriental Makati, Hotel101 Cebu Mactan, I'Msignia Resort Boracay, and Plaza de Zamboanga under Dusit Collection. The Ascott Limited will account for 24 percent of international key openings in 2027, while Radisson Hotel Group delivers the largest inventory in 2028 at 14 percent.
Positioning Cebu for the Southern Boom
The event emphasized nationwide inclusivity, equitable regional growth, and forward-looking innovations. By bringing the summit to Cebu, PHOA and AppleOne Group reinforced the VisMin region's role in advancing Philippine hospitality. Manigsaca's leadership exemplifies how local talent can drive national industry conversations.
