Philippine Department of Tourism to work with Newport World Resorts to plug entertainment offerings
The partnership will combine entertainment, dining and accommodation.
The Philippines.- The Philippines’ Department of Tourism (DOT) has partnered with casino and integrated resort operator Newport World Resorts to develop entertainment experiences as part of the country’s tourism offering. The parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on September 1 covering live performances, cultural productions, culinary experiences and other leisure attractions. The aim is to encourage tourists to spend more time in the Philippines, increase visitor expenditure and support repeat visits.
Under the agreement, the DOT will feature Newport World Resorts’ entertainment and leisure offerings in its “Love the Philippines” and “Discover More to Love” tourism campaigns. It will also help connect the resort with tourism partners in domestic and international markets.
Newport World Resorts will develop packages combining accommodation, dining and entertainment, alongside Metro Manila-focused itineraries. The company will also consider promotional room rates and ticket offers that allow visitors to book tourism experiences promoted through the DOT’s campaigns.
The partnership will also aim to support the Philippines’ creative sector by creating opportunities for performers, production teams and other professionals involved in live entertainment. The live entertainment component will be led by Full House Theater Company (FHTC), Newport World Resorts’ production arm. Its latest production, Bongga Ka, ‘Day! The Annie Batungbakal Musical, is scheduled to open at the Newport Performing Arts Theater on September 18.
According to DOT Secretary Maria Bernardita Angara-Mathay, entertainment has become an important factor in travellers’ decisions to visit and return to destinations. She said the partnership would help showcase Filipino talent while supporting performers, production teams and other parts of the creative economy.
Newport World Resorts President and CEO Nilo Thaddeus Rodriguez said 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.”
