Catch up on the Philippine Hospitality and Tourism Industry News Updates for the week ending April 10, 2026.
Industry News Updates Headlines:
- New PH DOT Secretary Finally Appointed
- A Week For Airport Ceiling Collapses
- Chinese Tourism To Philippines Up 50%
- 274% Indian Tourism Sales Lead Increase
- Hotel Brand Expands In the Philippines
- San Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition Open for applicants
- World Class Philippines 2026 Competing Bartenders Announced.
- Monty Python Star Filming In the Philippines
Industry News Updates Philippines
New Philippine DOT Secretary Finally Appointed
Several weeks since the departure of the previous DOT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, the Department of Tourism finally has a new Secretary.
Friday April 10 saw President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. appoint Bernardita Angara-Mathay as Secretary of Tourism. “A seasoned public servant with decades of experience in trade, investment, and international economic engagement,” – the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).
Secretary Angara-Mathay brings a wealth of experience to the role, notably from past diplomatic, trade, investment, and global partnerships.
Her appointment reflects the administration’s push to position tourism not only as a cultural showcase, but as a strong driver of jobs, businesses, and regional development – The Presidential Communications Office (PCO).
Hopefully, we’ll begin to see more information being shared on the DOT Facebook page, in terms of initiatives and projects being undertaken to improve tourism across the country.
A Week For Airport Ceiling Collapses
This last week has seen two ceilings collapse at different airports.
On Friday April 3 – Good Friday – a section of the ceiling at NAIA Terminal 1 arrivals area collapsed, and on Monday April 6 part of the ceiling at Indonesia’s Soekarno-Hatta Airport Terminal 3 also collapsed.
The ceiling at Indonesia’s Soekarno-Hatta Airport Terminal 3 building gave way after a period of heavy rain. Initially water was seen to trickle through gaps in the ceiling structure before a large portion collapsed under water pressure. Thankfully there were no passengers seated in the departure gate lounge area when it occurred.
Sadly, that was not the case in the Philippines. Johnmark Florendo, a witness to the ceiling collapse at NAIA Terminal 1, claimed that seven people who were sitting nearby were injured, including a senior citizen. The New NAIA Infra Corp. NNIC) engineering team inspected the surrounding section and later confirmed that it had been made safe.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) issued a statement, advising that the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) will coordinate with the NNIC to conduct a full investigation into the incident.
Chinese Tourism To Philippines Up 50%
Jaime A. FlorCruz, the Philippines Ambassador to China, has advised that Chinese Tourists visiting the Philippines is already up 50% at the start of 2026, compared to the same period in 2025.
So far, almost 80,000 Chinese tourists have visited the Philippines in January and February 2026. This increase in tourist arrivals from China has been attributed to: –
- The new visa-free policy – implemented on January 16 – allowing Chinese nationals to visit without a visa for up to 14 days for tourism or business purposes.
- An increase in flights and flight routes between China and the Philippines.
- China’s current economic recovery.
The Ambassador also highlighted that the Philippines is well-positioned to meet the current interests of the average Chinese tourist – relaxation, nature and leisure-oriented experiences.
Other industry data highlights dive tourism as one of China’s fastest-growing outbound travel markets, with new diver certifications in China increasing 35-40% YOY (year-on-year).
Much has been done to court the Chinese dive market including a 90-square-meter Pavilion and exhibition space at the recent Diving Resort and Travel (DRT) show in Shanghai, in March.
The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines and Philippine Department of Tourism – Shanghai brought together 18 co-exhibitors, from dive resorts, tour operators, dive shops and Local Government Units (LGUs) and DOT regional offices, hoping to expand on their DRT Shanghai 2025 sales lead success.
274% Indian Tourism Sales Lead Increase
The Tourism Promotions Board Philippines (TPB) reported a 274% increase in Sales Leads from the recent Outbound Travel Market 2026 (OTM), held in Mumbai, India.
The annual event serves as an opportunity for Indian travel buyers to connect with Philippine hospitality and tourism sellers, and expand their travel portfolio.
The Philippine booth was served by 18 company representatives from hotels & resorts, tour operators and local DOT offices.
The TPB reports on an increasing interest in MICE packages (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions), luxury travel and wedding packages among the Indian market.
Like China, India has also seen the introduction of a 14-day visa free policy for its nationals visiting the Philippines, in a bid to attract more tourists.
Hotel Brand Expands In the Philippines
Hospitality Group (HG) recently announced plans to open a new InterContinental Hotel in the Philippines. The 212 Hotel room property will be located in Bonifacio Global City, Manila, with an expected opening date of 2032.
Hotel amenities will include a specialty restaurant and bar, an all-day dining restaurant, event and meeting rooms and halls, including a ballroom, a spa, swimming pool with poolside bar and an health club.
A number of other Hotel brands and chains have announced expansion plans in the Philippines in the last 12 months, with grand openings to take place in 2026 and beyond. These include: –
- Dusit Hotel – Greenhills Manila, 2026
- Dusit Collection – Plaza de Zamboanga
- Dusit Princess Hotel – Lipa
- Dusit Princess Hotel – Cebu City
- ASAI Camaya Coast (to be managed by Dusit International) – 150 Hotel rooms, Camaya Coast, Bataan, 2029
- Hilton Garden Inn Manila – Quezon City
- Hilton Garden Inn – Cebu
- Canopy by Hilton – 400 Hotel Rooms, Makati City, 2026
- Movenpick Hotel – 1,530 Hotel Rooms, Westside City Paranaque 2026.
- Radisson – 200 Hotel rooms, Santa Rosa, Laguna 2029
- Radisson Hotel – 200 Hotel rooms, MOA 2031
- Park Inn by Radisson – 300 hotel rooms, MOA 2031
San Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition Open for applicants
The 2026-2027 San Pellegrino Young Chef Academy (SPYCA) competition edition has officially opened with applications being accepted until June 9, 2026.
The Grand Finale will be held in November 2027 in Milan. The global winner will be selected then, along with the recipients of three special awards.
Eligible young chefs must be under the age of 30, have at least one year of experience working as an executive chef, chef de cuisine, sous chef, chef de partie, or commis chef, and be currently employed.
Apply here San Pellegrino Young Chef Academy.
World Class Philippines 2026 Competing Bartenders Announced.
The list of selected Filipino bartenders who have made it through the first round of the World Class Philippines 2026 competition has been released.
The World Class 2026 is one of the most prestigious bartender competitions in the world. The 58 Filipino bartender semi-finalists selected to go through to the next stage nationally are: –
- Albert Cunanan, The Backroom BGC
- Alec Zach Narciso, Southbank BGC
- Amir Coralde, Lit Manila BGC
- Angelo Saludar, Southbank Alabang
- Armando Lavilla, Problem Child Makati
- Benny Joyce Dela Cruz, Hey X Youth, Dagupan
- Billy Ranchez, Opal Makati
- Braulio De Castro, Velveteen House Makati
- Brenan Gomez, The Syn Bar Angeles
- Carl Adian Jamisola, Cafe Guilt Quezon City
- Chrisfer Capinpin, Cafe Kiao Tarlac
- Christian Jervis Castillo, Daloy Bistro Subic
- Christian Jude Basog, Modern Fox Pasig
- Clint Medado, Haze Bar Moalboal
- Clive Harold Current Makati
- Danilo S Marco Jr, Transit 5915 Makati
- Eli Paraiso, Big Fuzz Makati
- Emil Fernandez III, Take Me Back Quezon City
- Enrico Luis Adolfo, 2B Quezon City
- Franchezka Maria Joven, Awesome Hotel La Union
- Frederick Gali Ulat, Awesome Hotel La Union
- Geovanne Alcoy, Cowrie Cove Shangri-La Mactan
- Gino Roa, Somewhere Quiet, BGC
- Ino Ortega, Beans and Bottles Naga
- Jayvee Manuel, Hey X Youth Dagupan
- Jergin Quilog, Amanpulo Palawan
- Jesus Emmanuel Pardillo, Aka Day and Night Drinks Quezon City
- Jibiran Concepcion, The John Hay Hotels Baguio
- Jihad Hotricano, Uma Nota Taguig
- John Andrew Gabales, Club Serena Resort Cebu
- John Lloyd Asuncion, Patio by Balai Norte La Union
- John Vincent Socorro, Yes Please BGC
- Julian Capati, The Syn Bar Angeles
- Juzel Narvaez, Limketkai Luxe Hotel Cagayan De Oro
- Karl Andaya, Patio by Balai Norte La Union
- KC Campana, OTO Makati
- Ken Valencia, BRB Solaire Paranaque
- Keno Pasumala, Luna Bar, Costabella Tropical Beach Hotel Cebu
- Kyla Valencia, The Jury Makati
- Liam Organisa, Hey X Youth Dagupan
- Mamerto Limaco III, Cowrie Cove Shangri-La Macatan
- Marc Gian Valenzuela, Aire32 Mandaluyong
- Marigold Juliano, El Gato Makati
- Mark Anthony Gomez, Triboa Cafe Subic
- MC Dannielle Bacudo, Kumbira Restaurant & Bar Moalboal
- MC Leeden Condino, Cantabria by Chele Gonzalez Mandaluyong
- Mel Damaso, Bar Hometown, Subic
- Mickiel Impe, The Westin Manila Mandaluyong
- MJ Torres, Awesome Hotel La Union
- Rafael Vallespin, Fable Cafe & Lounge BGC
- Ralfh Jefferson Naing, Hey X Youth Dagupan
- Ralph Maala, Mouse Hole Batangas
- Ram Singh, Dim Dim Makati
- Rica Mae Querque, Opal Makati
- Ron Cruz, Fat Cat Makati
- Shawn Escasa Sanjuan, No Entry Taguig
- Walter Treichler, Sage Bar Makati
- Yggy Solano David, Backbar & Co Baguio
World Class is an annual global bartending competition. A series of competitions are held regionally in each country, and competitors are narrowed down during a series of rounds until the final competition, when the Philippines Bartender of the year is announced. Each nations Bartender of the Year goes on to compete in the Global final competition.
The Philippines National Final winner is expected to be announced by June 2026, following multiple competitive rounds. The national champion will then represent the Philippines at the Global Finals, which will be held in Dubai this September 2026.
Ralph Santos, of The Spirits Library was crowned the Philippines winner in 2025.
Monty Python Star Filming In the Philippines
Monty Python star, Sir Michael Palin is back in the Philippines to film his latest travel series – Michael Palin In The Philippines.
The three-part travel show is currently being filmed and will show on Channel 5 later this year. Viewers will see Palin visiting Manila, El Nido, Marawai, Moalboal and Pag-asa Island.
The Daily Mail reported on the 10th April that Palin had been caught up in a clash between the Philippine and Chinese Coastguards, while visiting Pag-asa island, also known as Thitu Island. Pag-asa Island is located in a disputed territory area, and is also claimed by China (PRC), Taiwan (ROC) and Vietnam.
It is approximately 277 nautical miles (about 500 km) west of Puerto Princesa City in Palawan, is just 37 hectares and is home to around 300 Filipino’s. As the administrative seat of the Municipality of Kalayaan, it serves as a key, remote Philippine outpost in the Spratly Islands.
The island is permanently surrounded by Chinese coastguard and navy vessels.
