Photo courtesy of DOT
The Department of Tourism (DOT) and Newport World Resorts have formalized a partnership to strengthen entertainment as a pillar of Philippine tourism. The Memorandum of Understanding, signed on September 1, places live performances, cultural productions, culinary experiences, and other leisure attractions at the center of destination development, with the shared goal of encouraging longer stays, increasing visitor spending, and supporting repeat travel.
“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. “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,” she added.
The signing ceremony was led by Secretary Angara-Mathay and Newport World Resorts President and CEO Nilo Thaddeus Rodriguez, joined by Newport World Resorts Chief Legal and Administrative Officer Atty. Walter Mactal, Senior Vice President for Marketing Michelle Suarez, and Tourism Assistant Secretary for Branding and Marketing Communications Armand Lorenze Sapitan.
Under the agreement, the DOT will integrate Newport World Resorts’ offerings into its Love the Philippines and Discover More to Love campaigns, support the promotion of original Filipino productions, and connect Newport World Resorts with tourism stakeholders in the Philippines and overseas markets. Newport World Resorts, for its part, 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, ready-to-enjoy experiences for travelers.
“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 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.”
Live entertainment under the partnership will be anchored by Full House Theater Company (FHTC), Newport World Resorts’ production arm, whose latest production, Bongga Ka, ‘Day! The Annie Batungbakal Musical, opens September 18, 2026, at the Newport Performing Arts Theater.
FHTC will also serve as the production arm of Westside Resort, opening in Entertainment City this year, which will add four theater venues. Both Newport World Resorts and Westside Resort are under Travellers Group, which is expanding its entertainment footprint as part of a broader push to position the Philippines as the ‘Broadway of Asia’.