𝐹𝑖𝑟𝑠𝑡 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑜𝑛𝑙𝑦 ℎ𝑜𝑠𝑝𝑖𝑡𝑎𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑔𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑝 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑃ℎ𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑝𝑝𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑠 𝑡𝑜 𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑛 𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑔𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛

Megaworld Hotels & Resorts, the hospitality arm of property giant Megaworld, has become the first and only hospitality group to receive the Tourism Industry Excellence Award from the Department of Tourism (DOT).

Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco, along with Undersecretaries Verna Esmeralda Buensuceso and Maria Rica Bueno, presented the award to Group General Manager Art Boncano and Managing Director Cleofe Albiso. The recognition highlights the company’s stature as the country’s largest hotel operator and the Philippines’ first Muslim-friendly hotel chain, certified by CrescentRating.

Megaworld Hotels & Resorts secured Muslim-Friendly Accommodation Establishment certifications for all its properties under DOT’s updated guidelines. This effort included halal kitchen certifications, prayer facilities, and culturally appropriate guest services through its partnership with the Halal International Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Philippines. The company was also recognized earlier this year at the Halal in Travel Global Summit for its leadership in promoting Muslim-friendly tourism.

Beyond inclusivity, the group has been lauded for celebrating Filipino culture through its Sampaguita Project, which incorporates the national flower into multi-sensory guest experiences—from fragrance in hotel lobbies to sampaguita-inspired menus—reflecting the warmth and respect of authentic Filipino hospitality.

Currently operating 14 hotels with over 6,500 rooms across Manila, Boracay, Cebu, and Iloilo, Megaworld Hotels & Resorts has earned global recognition, including being named the Philippines’ Leading Hotel Group at the World Travel Awards. Its revenues grew by 19% to ₱2.81 billion in the first half of 2025.

“This milestone reflects more than just excellence in hospitality—it embodies our shared commitment with the DOT to elevate the Philippines on the global stage,” Albiso said. “By championing inclusivity and showcasing Filipino hospitality, we support the DOT’s mission to make the Philippines a stronger, more competitive, and more welcoming destination.”

The group is also expanding aggressively, with eight new hotels slated to open in Metro Manila, Pampanga, Bacolod, Palawan, Boracay, Laguna, and Iloilo, increasing its inventory to 9,000 rooms. Earlier this year, it also partnered with global hospitality chain Accor, starting with the rebranding of Belmont Hotel Mactan into Mercure Mactan Cebu.