A total of 48 new hotels will soon rise across the Philippines, reflecting the strong investor confidence in the country, a group of hotel owners reported.

At a year-end briefing in Quezon City, Philippine Hotel Owners Association (PHOA) Executive Director Benito Bengzon Jr. said the projects will be constructed between 2023 to 2028 translating to at least 15,000 rooms.

“They see a very bright future for Philippine tourism and for the Philippine hospitality industry that’s why many of the Philippine investors and developers are building projects not only in the main gateways like Manila and Cebu, but also in other cities,” he told reporters.

“The strong appetite for investment is a very strong indication of optimism in hotels as an investment and a reflection of their confidence in the market,” he added.

Bengzon said PHOA is seeing a “demand” in emerging destinations among its more than 200 hotel members, citing Park Inn by Radisson’s planned expansion in Olongapo, Laoag, and Dasmarinas; and Filinvest Hospitality in Dumaguete, Zamboanga, and General Santos, as some examples.

Bengzon, meanwhile, did not provide specific figures but said hotels “generally enjoyed higher” room occupancy in 2023 compared to 2022.

The growth, he said, was driven by strong domestic demand and the return of key inbound markets such as South Korea and China.

Bengzon said efforts to upgrade facilities also proved critical for the accelerated recovery of the sector after reeling from the pandemic.

Among these initiatives were incorporating hyper-personalization for guest experience through data analytics and maximizing technology for contactless services.

The executive said hotels also adapted to the changes in consumer preferences, including increased demand for organic food and beverages and greater appreciation of local tradition and historical elements.

Meanwhile, he noted that further increase in air connectivity would boost the hospitality sector, which is dependent on planes in bringing in international guests.

“The market will grow, for sure, we just have to make sure that the fundamental elements are in place and I keep talking about air connectivity because without airplanes, you cannot bring in tourists,” he said.PNA