The Philippines Department of Tourism (DOT) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Newport World Resorts (NWR) aimed at developing live performances, cultural productions, culinary experiences and other leisure attractions as a means of encouraging longer stays, increasing visitor spending, and supporting repeat travel.
On the same day as DOT announced a 3.7% year-in-year increase in visitor arrivals to 4.11 million in the first eight months of 2026, it unveiled plans to integrate NWR’s offerings into its “Love the Philippines” and “Discover More to Love” campaigns, support the promotion of original Filipino productions and connect NWR with tourism stakeholders in the Philippines and overseas markets.
Conversely, NWR will develop integrated stay, dine and watch packages designed around experiential travel, build visitor itineraries centered on Metro Manila and explore promotional rates and ticket offers that turn national tourism campaigns into bookable and ready-to-enjoy experiences for travelers.
“Entertainment has become one of the strongest reasons travelers choose to visit and return to a destination, and this partnership allows us to bring that experience to more Filipinos and international visitors alike,” said DOT Secretary Maria Bernardita Angara-Mathay at a signing ceremony. “Through this collaboration, we hope to showcase Filipino talent and creativity as part of what makes the Philippines worth discovering.
“This is also an opportunity to support our creative economy, from performers to production teams, while integrating these experiences into our broader campaigns to grow tourism nationwide.”
According to a Wednesday announcement, live entertainment under the partnership will be anchored by NWR’s production arm Full House Theater Company (FHTC), which will also serve as the production arm of sister property Westside Resort, scheduled to open in Entertainment City this year and adding four theater venues.
“On behalf of Newport World Resorts, we thank the Department of Tourism for this partnership and for recognizing entertainment as a meaningful pillar of Philippine tourism,” said NWR President and CEO, Nilo Thaddeus Rodriguez.
“Guided by our Executive Chairman Kevin L. Tan’s commitment to nation-building, we have always believed that tourism becomes stronger when destinations offer more than access and accommodation. They must offer experiences that give people a deeper reason to visit, stay longer, return, and ultimately, discover more to love about the Philippines.”
The DOT said this week it is targeting between 6.4 million and 6.8 million arrivals in 2026 as it continues to explore opportunities to reinvigorate visitation from the core markets of South Korea and China.
This comes with the United States having moved into top spot on the list of source markets with 818,318 in the eight months through August, ahead of South Korea at 727,379, Japan at 350,191, China at 310,088 and Australia at 234,156.
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