Industry News Updates for the Philippine Hospitality and Tourism Industry for the week ending March 6, 2026.
Industry News Updates & Headlines:
- PH Flights To Dubai Re-Routed Mid-Flight
- NAIA Switches Airline Terminal Locations
- 15 Manila Seniors Pass DOT Tour Guide Accreditation
- Marinduque Launched as Cyclo-Tourism Playground.
- Philippines To Shine At Melbourne Food & Wine Festival 2026
- Boracay Places in TripAdvisor’s Best of the Best List
- Dumaguete City Hailed As Budget-friendly Retirement Destination
- Radisson Expands Philippine Hotel Portfolio
- DOT Renews Korean Tourism Marketing
- Middle East Airports Remain Closed
- Experiences Tourism Growth Outpaces Other Sectors
- OTA’s & Hotel Groups Sign Online Reviews Code Of Conduct
PH Flights To Dubai Re-Routed Mid-Flight
Three Philippines planes flying from Manila to Dubai found themselves having to turn around mid-flight last week.
On the 28th February, 2026 the PR658 (PAL’s Manila-Dubai), PR654 (PAL’s Manila-Riyadh) and 5J14 (Cebu Pacific’s Manila-Dubai), were forced to return to Manila as a result of missile attacks and drone strikes occurring across the Gulf Region.
As the conflict continues Philippine Airlines has cancelled all flights heading to the middle east, including Dubai-Manila, Manila-Doha, and Riyadh-Manila.
“Philippine Airlines is actively coordinating with aviation authorities, airport operators, and relevant government agencies regarding airspace and operational advisories.”
People with flights out of Manila should check the website of the airline they are booked with regularly for updates as decisions are being made on a day-to-day basis.
Currently, Cebu Pacific flights from Manila to Dubai or Riyadh are on hold until after the 8th or 9th of March.
NAIA Switches Airline Terminal Locations
NAIA has announced a number of changes to which terminals certain airlines will fly from. The changes which will come into effect on March 29, 2026, and are part of “ongoing efforts to optimize terminal capacity” and improve passenger experience.
From March 29, 2026 Airlines will be located at specific Terminals, as follows:-
Moving from Terminal 1 to Terminal 3
- Air China (CA)
- China Eastern (MU)
- Vietnam Airlines (VN)
- Royal Brunei (BI)
- Shenzhen Airlines (ZH)
- Japan Airlines (JL) From April 1, 2026
Moving from Terminal 3 to Terminal 1
- Philippines AirAsia (Z2) – International flights only
- AirAsia Berhad (AK)
15 Manila Seniors Pass DOT Tour Guide Accreditation
Last year we reported on a drive by the Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) to recruit and train Manila-based Seniors as Community Tour Guides in Intramuros.
At the end of February, fifteen (15) of those seniors received their DOT Tour Guide Accreditation.
The initiative has been undertaken in partnership with the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC), under the Tourism Legacy and Livelihood Program. The training ran across 7 days, during which the seniors learned the art of storytelling, local history, and guest care.
One of the new Tour Guides, Edgardo Satira, features in a short video by the DOT. In it he talks a little about the initiative and what this new ‘later life’ role means to him.
The new tour guides can be found at the entrance of Fort Santiago, Intramuros.
Marinduque Launched as Cyclo-Tourism Playground.
The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), in partnership with the Department of Tourism (DOT) MIMAROPA and the Marinduque local government, officially launched the province of Marinduque as an emerging cyclo-tourism playground this last week.
The Marinduque Cycling Experience is a two-day tour visiting Balacanan Viewdeck, Luzon Datum, Paaddjao Falls, Mangaman Bridge, the Moriones Statue, Holy Cross Parish Church, Poctoy White Beach, Tabag’s Place, Malbog Hot Springs, and St. Joseph Church.
The tour contributes to building a sustainable, community-linked cyclo-tourism ecosystem “where responsible adventure travel becomes a driver of inclusive local growth.”
Philippines To Shine At Melbourne Food & Wine Festival 2026
The 2026 Melbourne Food & Wine Festival is set to welcome a few Philippine exports this year.
The IFEX Philippines Global Food Ambassador, Raine Laysico of Masterplan Global, has curated an All-Star lineup from the 7000 Islands of The Philippines 🇵🇭 for the MFWF Global Dining’s Series.
Lumpia Queen, Abi Mariquez will be co-chefing two sittings of a 4-course Boodle Brunch with Chef Morris Danzen Catanghal, on March 28 at Nine Yards, Melbourne.
The festival will also feature Abi Balingit, Chef Nouel Catis – the creator of Dubai Chocolate, Chef Ikeal Pastrana, Chef Da Bo, and husband and wife team ‘The Rocker Chef’ – Chef Lau and Chef Jac from Guevarras Manila.
Destileria Barako‘s delicious and award-winning Ube Cream Liqueur will also feature with Ube soft drinks and Ube vodka sodas offered by Six String in Fable, Halaya, and Nine Yards.
The Melbourne Food & Wine Festival is one of the world’s Top 5 food & wine events. This years festival takes place March 20-26th.
Be sure to follow our website and socials to read more about Abi & Chef Morris’ Nine Yards collaboration in three soon to be released exclusive interviews.
Boracay Places in TripAdvisor’s Best of the Best List
Boracay Island lands the No.6 spot in TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards 2026 Best of the Best Beaches – Asia.
The Best of the Best Awards are determined by destinations that receive a high number of outstanding and 5 star ratings and reviews from TripAdvisors’ users.
Dumaguete City Hailed As Budget-friendly Retirement Destination
Dumaguete City has been included in Investopedia‘s latest Budget-Friendly Asian Destinations for Affordable Retirement Living report.
The other destinations recognised in the list are:-
- Penang, Malaysia
- Hoi An, Vietnam,
- Chiang Rai, Thailand
Approximately 5,000 plus foreign nationals live in Dumaguete, although it’s unclear how many of these are retirees. The city has also been promoted as a good retirement option by Live and Invest Overseas.
Dumaguete had previously been identified as one of the top 5 retirement hubs in the Philippines.
This recognition drove targeted improvements to local healthcare infrastructure, stronger public-private partnerships among local stakeholders, and renewed policies and programs from the Philippine Retirement Authority, to provide greater support for long-stay visitors and retirees.
Investopedia is the world’s leading source of financial content on the web, including market news and retirement strategies.
Radisson Expands Philippine Hotel Portfolio
The Radisson Hotel Group has recently announced its signing of three new properties in Clark, Quezon City and Laoag. The Philippines now accounts for 35% of Radisson’s regional growth.
“Fifteen years on from our first opening in Cebu, the Philippines remains one of our strongest growth engines in Southeast Asia-Pacific.” Christine Angela Sevilla, Senior Director for Development Southeast Asia-Pacific at Radisson Hotel Group.
Radisson currently operates seven hotels in the Philippines, with 18 new properties under development and set to open in 2026, 2027 and 2028.
2026 Openings
Radisson RED Cebu Mandaue (a Red Brand debut)
Lime Resort, Bohol (Radisson Individuals Premier)
2027 Openings
Radisson Hotel and Serviced Apartments Clark, Philippines (252 rooms)
Park Inn by Radisson Dasmarinas (151 rooms)
2028
Park Inn by Radisson Fairview, Philippines, in Metro Manila (151 rooms)
Park Inn by Radisson Laoag, Ilocos, Philippines (151 rooms)
Park Inn by Radisson Olongapo Central (151 rooms)
DOT Renews Korean Tourism Marketing
After a drop in arrivals from the Philippines top tourist market in 2025 the DOT has renewed its approach for the Korean market.
While 2024 saw more than 1,436,000 million South Koreans visiting the Philippines, this number dropped to 1,346,301 in 2025.
The drop in arrivals has been attributed to high profile robberies and attacks on Koreans at the start of 2025. These were followed by safety alerts from the South Korean Embassy in Manila.
Despite this South Korea was still the top demographic for international arrivals to the Philippines at just under 21%.
The DOT’s South Korean Office’s 2026 marketing initiatives include discounted promotions with major airlines, and region-specific travel packages via 15 South Korean travel agencies.
The plans also include participation in tourism events like the Korea International Boat Show and Seoul International Travel Fair, and at expo’s that lend an opportunity to promote the Philippines as an Experiences Tourism destination.
Global Industry News Updates
Middle East Airports Remain Closed.
Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha Airports have mostly remained closed this week after the US and Israel bombed Iran, resulting in retaliatory strikes by Iran.
All three airports received directly hits by missiles or drones at the start of the military strikes last weekend. Four people in Dubai International Airport were injured. Seven people were injured and one person was reportedly killed during a drone strike on Zayed (Abu Dhabi) International Airport.
Thousands of travelers remain stranded throughout the Middle East, as a result of flight cancelations and airport shut downs.
On Tuesday March 2 Emirates, Flydubai and Etihad began to re-initiate limited operations, but airlines have advised passengers to check their flight status online, or await an email about their flight, before heading to the airport.
Australia, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, and Russia are among the nations organizing special evacuation flights for their citizens. Some countries are chartering commercial planes, while others are deploying military aircraft. In the meantime, governments around the world are advising their citizens to stay indoors and wait for updates.
Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism issued directions to all hotels to extend stays for guests who are unable to checkout, with the Department footing the bill. This financial measure includes the costs of meals and refreshments, support with rebooking, and transportation to the airport or elsewhere within the country.
The General Civil Aviation Authority of the UAE also assisted stranded travelers at the airports with temporary accommodation.
Tourists stranded in Dubai however are reporting that their extended stays are not covered by the Dubai Government, with the only stipend in place being that hotels can not raise room rates for stranded guests wanting to extend above the price they paid for their first night.
Travelers are also stranded throughout the APAC region, or are facing complicated re-routing, as many of the affected airports are transient hubs for travel between Europe, Africa and the West to Asia. Israel, Qatar, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman and the United Arab Emirates had also shut their airports.
Experiences Tourism Growth Outpaces Other Sectors
The latest report from Arival and Phocuswright shows that Experiences Tourism has not just bounced back since the end of the global pandemic, but has a growth rate that is outpacing all other forms of travel.
The report, The Outlook for Travel Experiences 2019–2029 highlights that the Experiences sector saw $271 billion in 2025. It is expected to hit $342 billion by 2029. The industry growth acceleration in Asia has been attributed as part of the Experiences sectors growth, along with improvements in online distribution channels.
Analysis of the data collected from operator data, and global traveler research indicates a shift in how people plan and book travel. Experiences like tours and activities are now a primary driver when it comes to travelers choosing destinations. Two thirds of travelers stated that they pick destinations based on the types of experiences they can have while there.
The report also spotlights that this area of the travel industry is under-digitalized. Just 33% of gross Experiences bookings are made online, which is significantly behind the 64% of online bookings seen by the global travel industry.
This is attributed to the fact that 70% of operators are classified as small or micro businesses and may not have the resources or capabilities to offer online booking.
The report can be purchased here.
OTA’s & Hotel Groups Sign Online Reviews Code Of Conduct
HolidayCheck, eu travel tech, HOTREC, Booking.com, Expedia Group, Tripadvisor Group, Airbnb, Develop Athens, European Federation of Campingsite Organisations and Holiday Park Associations (EFCO & HPA), Federation of the Romanian Hotel Industry (FIHR) have all signed a Code of Conduct for Online Ratings and Reviews for Tourism Accommodations.
The Code of Conduct had been initiated by the European Union (EU) and was co-created with stakeholders from the tourism industry.
The Code of Conduct aims to “achieve greater transparency and reliability of online reviews for consumers and businesses in the tourism and accommodation sector. It will foster closer collaboration to strengthen practices that safeguard the authenticity of reviews, to differentiate between guests who have stayed at the accommodation and those who have not, and to support travellers in making more informed decisions when booking their holidays.”
The booking platforms, hotel operators and Associations that have signed the Code of Conduct for Online Ratings and Reviews for Tourism Accommodations agree to ensure genuine online reviews and ratings on their sites.
