Hospitality & Tourism Industry News Updates brought to you by MY RANGGO Hospitality Magazine for 14-22 August 2025
Our Hospitality & Tourism Industry News Headlines:-
- Tourism Legacy and Livelihood Program Applications Invited
- Halal Town to Rise in Manila
- World Travel Awards PH Voting Closes 31st August
- Taiwan Expo Returns To Manila After 6 Years
- Sagada September!
- 36th Philippine Travel Mart 5-7 Sept 2025
- Siargao To Host Highest Ranking World Surf Competition
- Booking.com Parent Company Pays $9.5 Million Settlement Fee.
Tourism Legacy and Livelihood Program opens applications to Senior Citizens.
The Tourism Legacy and Livelihood program is welcoming applications from Senior Citizens for Community Tour Guide positions.
The recruitment drive, which we first covered in our Hospitality & Tourism Industry News Updates – 27th June, hopes to fill 30 positions. The roles are open to residents of Manila, who are 60+, and able to communicate in English. Closing date is 22nd August.
A free 7-day seminar is scheduled for 23 Sept – 1 Oct, 2025. The seminar will cover all aspects of the tour guide role, and the history of Intramuros. It is being run by the Department of Tourism and the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC).
Selection process:
- All applicants will undergo screening or selection process.
- Selectors will receive endorsement from NCSC.
- Endorsements will be subjected to DOT’s profiling session.
- Only successful applicants can attend the free seven-day seminar on community guiding and go through the DOT accreditation process.
- DOT accreditation is a separate process that requires submission of documentary requirements to DOT.
Qualifications
- Must be a resident of the City of Manila
- Physically fit
- 60 years old and above
- Be able to communicate in English language
Requirements
- Application form available at http://bit.ly/45o7cwH
- Curriculum vitae (CV) or resume
- 2×2″ ID picture
- Copy of senior citizen ID from Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA)
Send the complete requirements to National Commission of Senior Citizens – SECADNA thru email secadna@ncsc.gov.ph until August 22, 2025 (Friday).
For more information:
Department of Tourism
Trunkline: 151-8687
National Commission of Senior Citizens:
Contact persons: Ms. Marianne Faminianno or Ms. Louise Cangke
Email: secadna@ncsc.gov Ph
Trunkline: (02) 8567-5646
“Halal Town” Coming to Manila?
Discussions are being held about building an “Halal Town” in Manila. The aim behind this venture is to strengthen cultural respect, trade and tourism.
Mayor Francisco Isko Moreno Domagoso met with Tuan Yang Terutama Tun Seri Setia, (Dr.) Haji Mohd Ali Bin Mohd Rustam, Governor of the State of Malacca, Malaysia, together with His Excellency Dato Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino Anthony, Ambassador of Malaysia, and their delegation this week, to discuss taking the plans forward.
Chinatown in Binondo and Koreatown in Ermita, Malate are already big attractions for locals and tourists alike. It is hoped a “Halal Town” will have a similar appeal.
World Travel Awards Voting Closes 31st August
Voting for the annual World Travel Awards Asia 2025 closes on the 31st August 2025, and the Department of Tourism is urging Filipinos to cast their votes.
Philippines locations and attractions feature in 34 of the ‘Asia’s Leading’ categories:-
- Tourist Attraction (Intramuros)
- Beach Destination
- Cultural City Destination (San Fernando, Pampanga)
- Dive Destination
- Emerging Tourism Destination (Bohol)
- Island Destination
- Luxury Island Destination (Boracay)
- Meetings & Conference Destination (Clark Freeport Zone)
- Regional Nature Destination (Province of Aurora)
- Wedding Destination (Cebu)
- Airport Hotel (Savoy Hotel, Manila)
- Beach Resort (Fairway’s & Bluewater Boracay)
- Boutique Beach Resort (Vivere Azure)
- Casino Resort (City of Dreams Manila, Okada Manila)
- City Hotel (Belmont Hotel Manila)
- Design Hotel (Admiral Hotel Manila)
- Dive Resort (Atmosphere Resorts & Spa)
- Entertainment Resort (Okada Manila)
- Fully Integrated Resort (City of Dreams Manila, Newport World Resorts, Okada Manila)
- Green Hotel Brand (El Nido Resorts)
- Heritage Hotel (The Manila Hotel)
- Hotel Residences (Raffles Makati)
- Luxury Beach Resort (Shangri-La Boracay)
- Luxury Boutique Hotel (Admiral Hotel Manila)
- Luxury Resort (Pangulasian, El Nido)
- Luxury Villa Resort (Amanpulo)
- Private Island Resort (Amanpulo, Ariara Island)
- Retreat (The Farm at San Benito)
- Serviced Apartments (Ascott Bonifacio Global City)
- Sustainable Resort (Calatagan South Beach)
- Villa Resort (BE Grand Resort, Bohol)
- Wedding Hotel (The Lind Boracay)
- Asia’s Responsible Tourism Award (Calatagan South Beach)
- Asia’s Best Emerging Culinary City Destination (Angeles City)
To cast your vote register first and then login to the vote portal
Taiwan Expo Returns To Manila
The Taiwan Expo returns to Manila, after a six year absence. Taking place 17-19 September 2025, the Expo is being held in Function Rooms 1-3, at the SMX Convention Center, Pasay.
There are 5 key themes for the Expo: Green & Sustainability, Agritech & Aquatech, Health & Wellness, Smart Technologies and Intelligent Lifestyle. More than 140 Taiwanese companies will highlight innovations in smart urban planning solutions, renewable energy and circular economy practices and feature Taiwan’s creative industries, food and tourism.
The event has been organized by the Taiwan International Trade Administration (TITA) and the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA). You can register for the Expo for free here
Sagada September 2025!
September is Sagada Tourism Month and this year’s theme is “Discover What Brings Us Together.” This month long celebration will focus on exploring Sagada’s heritage, culture, arts, and natural landscapes, showcasing the traditions, crafts, flavors, and community spirit that define Sagada.
Sagada’s Tourism Month kicks off with a parade on September 6th 2025 at 8:00 AM, starting from sitio Daoangan to the Community Court, and there are a number of competitions, which include Best Float and Best Cheer with Music.
If you plan to visit Sagada during September check their schedule of events here to ensure you don’t miss out!
36th Philippine Travel Mart 5-7 Sept 2025
The 36th Philippine Travel Mart will be taking place from 5-7 Sept 5–7, at the SMX Convention Center, Manila.
This is said to be the biggest and longest running Travel Mart in the Philippines and is a great day out for anyone looking for great deals and discounts for their next vacation. The Mart showcases:-
- Local & International Tour Packages and Deals
- Hotel stays & Airfare Discounts
- Cultural shows, raffles & more
Visit and follow the Philippine Travel Mart Facebook account to see the latest Giveaways, raffles and prizes as they land.
To buy tickets visit philtravelmart.com/buyticket
Siargao To Host Highest Ranking World Surf Competition
The highest-ranking World Surf League (WSL) Competition will be held in Siargao October 23-31, this year. This will be the first time ever that the Philippines has hosted this series, with the competition titled Siargao International 6000 Surfing Cup.
During last weeks Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum, held at Wild Flour restaurant in Makati, Sports Ambassador Vincent Marcos, the son of President Marcos, talked about the competition being the “perfect chance for the Philippines to promote sports tourism and show how world class its surfing destinations are.”
“We believe that sports tourism is an economic driver. And why surfing? Because it’s a beautiful sport,” – Patrick Gregorio, Philippine Sports Commission Chairman.
Earlier this year, the WSL World Junior Championships were held in La Union, another significant Philippine Surfing destination.
128 male and 64 female surfers from China, Japan, Taiwan, Indonesia, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, and the Philippines are expected to compete at Siargao International 6000 Surfing Cup, with $50,000 Champion prizes up for grabs.
While Baler and La Union have been growing in popularity, with their excellent surf conditions, Siargao has long been a ‘bucket list’ destination, particularly the infamous surf spot Cloud 9.
Tourism & Hospitality Industry News Updates From Around The World
Booking.com Parent Company Pays $9.5 Million Settlement Fee.
Booking Holdings, which is the parent company of Booking.com, Priceline and Kayak, has been back in court. This time in Texas.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton brought a case against the OTA (Online Travel Agency) giant for unfair advantage and “Junk Fees” – the practice of hiding mandatory hotel fees until checkout. This practice enabled them to market lower hotel rates, undercutting competitors who included all fees in rates offered online.
This settlement is reported to be the largest amount involving a hotel or travel site in Texas. Booking Holdings is now required to disclose all fees clearly when advertising rates, and not just in Texas.
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has also stepped in with a new “Junk Fees Rule”. The rule requires that all OTA’s are to disclose all mandatory fees upfront. Read in full here
Check out our earlier Industry News Updates for information about the other countries around the World, who are taking steps to crack down on unfair advantage and anti-competitive practices by the dominant OTA giants.
