The Department of Tourism (DOT) and Newport World Resorts have entered into a partnership aimed at making entertainment a stronger part of the Philippines’ tourism strategy, with live performances, cultural productions, dining and other leisure experiences positioned as attractions for both local and international visitors.
The memorandum of understanding was signed on Sept. 1, bringing together the tourism agency and the integrated resort in an effort to develop travel experiences that go beyond traditional sightseeing. The partnership is intended to encourage visitors to stay longer, spend more and return by combining tourism with entertainment and lifestyle offerings.
Under the agreement, the DOT will feature Newport World Resorts’ offerings in its “Love the Philippines” and “Discover More to Love” campaigns. The agency will also help promote original Filipino productions and connect the resort with tourism stakeholders in domestic and international markets.
Newport World Resorts, meanwhile, plans to create integrated “stay, dine and watch” packages that allow travelers to combine accommodation, dining and live entertainment in a single itinerary. The company also intends to develop Metro Manila-based itineraries and explore promotional rates and ticket offers that can be incorporated into tourism campaigns.
Tourism Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay said entertainment can influence travelers’ decisions to visit and return to a destination. The partnership is also expected to provide a platform for Filipino performers and creatives to reach wider audiences while supporting businesses connected to the tourism and creative industries.
The entertainment component of the partnership will be anchored by Full House Theater Company, Newport World Resorts’ production arm. One of its major productions this year is “Bongga Ka, ’Day!: The Annie Batungbakal Musical,” which opened at the Newport Performing Arts Theater on Sept. 18.
Full House Theater Company is also set to serve as the production arm of Westside Resort, which is scheduled to open in Entertainment City this year and will add four theater venues to the area. Both Newport World Resorts and Westside Resort are part of Travellers Group, which has been expanding its entertainment offerings.
Newport World Resorts already combines hotels, dining, retail, gaming, conventions and live entertainment within Newport City in Pasay. Its entertainment facilities include the more than 1,700-seat Newport Performing Arts Theater, while the wider property has multiple hotels and more than 50 restaurants and dining outlets.
The resort is also supporting the development of Filipino performers through the Original Pilipino Performing Arts Foundation and training tourism and hospitality professionals through its Academy for Leisure and Tourism. These initiatives form part of its broader efforts to connect entertainment with the development of the country’s creative and tourism workforce.
The DOT-Newport partnership comes as the government seeks to expand tourism offerings by developing experiences that can be packaged and booked alongside accommodation and other activities. A separate DOT partnership with travel platform Klook is also focused on making tourism products from emerging destinations across Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao more visible and accessible to travelers.
By linking live shows, Filipino cultural productions, dining and hospitality with tourism promotions, the agreement creates a framework for entertainment to become part of the travel experience rather than a separate activity. The partners are expected to work with tourism stakeholders and overseas markets as they develop and promote these offerings.
