PHILIPPINES — The Department of Tourism (DOT) has signed strategic agreements with Klook and Newport World Resorts, aiming to supercharge both domestic travel and the country's growing entertainment tourism sector. The partnerships, formalized on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, are poised to bring more Filipino experiences to the global stage.
Empowering Local MSMEs Through Digital Platforms
The multi-year MOU with Klook focuses on connecting the online travel giant with the DOT's regional offices. The goal is to develop curated travel experiences from across the archipelago. This directly addresses the need to bring small tourism players into the digital fold.
Tourism Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay emphasized the importance of equipping experience providers, particularly MSMEs in the provinces, to participate meaningfully in the digital tourism ecosystem. By giving them access to platforms like Klook, their offerings become more visible and bookable. This creates a direct connection with travelers, making the booking process seamless and secure.
Klook Philippines General Manager Michelle Ho expressed her excitement about the partnership's potential. She highlighted the joint effort to spotlight "hidden gems" and emerging destinations across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. A key component is helping small and medium-sized operators become digital, visible, and bookable on the platform.
Boosting Entertainment Tourism with Newport World Resorts
The DOT's partnership with Newport World Resorts will integrate its offerings into the "Love the Philippines" and "Discover More to Love" campaigns. The agreement aims to promote original Filipino productions and connect the resort with tourism stakeholders in domestic and overseas markets. This move positions entertainment as a core pillar of the country's tourism appeal.
Secretary Angara-Mathay noted that entertainment has become one of the strongest reasons travelers choose to visit and return to a destination. This partnership allows the DOT to bring that experience to more Filipinos and international visitors. It also showcases Filipino talent and creativity as essential elements of what makes the Philippines worth discovering.
Newport World Resorts will develop integrated "stay, dine, and watch packages" for experiential travel. These packages will build visitor itineraries across Metro Manila. The initiative reinforces the government's push to make the Philippines more attractive to both local and foreign tourists.
A New Era for Philippine Entertainment
Live entertainment under the partnership will be anchored by the Full House Theater Company (FHTC). FHTC, Newport World Resorts' production arm, is set to open its latest production, "Bongga Ka, 'Day! The Annie Batungbakal Musical," on September 18. This signals a vibrant future for local theater.
FHTC is also slated to serve as the production arm of Westside Resort, which is opening this year. The new resort will add four theater venues in the Entertainment City. This expansion is part of a broader push to position the Philippines as the "Broadway of Asia."
