Industry News Updates brought to you by MY RANGGO Hospitality Magazine for the week 7-13 June 2025 – Our Headlines:-
- PH Travel Showroom opens in Seoul
- BI Special Study Permit launches
- Siquijor given 6 months to sort electricity issues
- Filipino Culture and Tourism showcase in Osaka
- PH Distillery wins 3 World Drink Awards
- PH Tourism predicted to inject P5.9 Trillion to economy
- 1st Hotel Connect Forum set for 24 & 25 July
Philippine DoT travel showroom center opens in Seoul.
Despite a drop in tourism arrival numbers, South Korea continues to head the leader board for foreign nationals visiting the Philippines, with 1,761,281 South Korean national arrivals in 2024. So the opening of a new DoT travel showroom center in Seoul City center this week is great news.
The showroom sponsored by Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific Airlines and Zest Air, officially opened on June 7, 205. Its 3 experienced travel specialists will assist Koreans to decide which Philippine destinations to visit, tour and activity options and booking airlines, hotels and restaurants.
Industry News Update Source: Philippine Embassy Seoul
BI implements a Special Study Permit to encourage educational tourism.
The Bureau of Immigration this week implemented an online application procedure for the Special Study Permit (SSP). These permits are applicable for foreign students seeking to take short-term courses in the Philippines.
The BI aims to attract more foreign students, including South Koreans, to visit the Philippines for educational tourism.
“The Philippines continues to be a preferred destination for South Koreans, not only because of our natural attractions but also for our thriving English language programs, which are especially popular among families with young learners during school holidays,” Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado
Industry News Update Source:Bureau of Immigration
Marcos gives authorities 6 months to sort power issues on tourist spot Siquijor
Residents of Siquijor have faced weeks of electricity issues with many seeing only 2-5 hours of power a day. And some of the blame for the power issues has been laid at the door of growing tourism to the island.
President Marcos visited the province this week, along with Energy Undersecretary Sharon Garin, and National Electrification Administration Chief Antonio Mariano Almeda, among others. During his visit, President Marcos Jnr learned that two big generator sets are expected to arrive this week, from Palawan, as a temporary measure.
The Philippine President has given island authorities 6 months to address and fix the power issues to improve the lives of Siquijor residents.
Industry News Update Source: ABS-CBN
Spectacular Filipino culture and tourism showcase in Osaka Japan
The Philippines took center stage on June 7 at the Expo 2025 Osaka, Japan, with a focus on showcasing Filipino culture, creativity and story telling.
June 7 served as the Philippine National Day, which kicked off a week long program of Philippine-focused events and performances.
Starting off with a parade of Filipino’s in traditional dress, it was followed by an official opening ceremony attended by DOT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, and The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Chief Operations Officer and Secretary General of the Philippine Organizing Committee (POC) Marga Nograles.
The opening ceremony ended with ‘Hinabing Hiraya (Woven Imagination)’ – three performances that focused on weaving and ancestral traditions, and singing, dancing and visual story telling.
“We wanted a performance that reflected all of us—not just one region or tribe, but the full rhythm of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao …. That’s how we honor the Filipino story: as one voice, richly woven.” – Marga Nograles,TPB COO.
The resounding ‘cherry-on-the-top’ has been the spectacular Philippine “Woven” Pavilion – located in the Expo’s Empowering Lives zone and open to the public since April 2025.
Designed by Filipino-led architecture firm Carlo Calma Consultancy Inc. as a multisensory experience, it blends heritage and innovation, with over 200 woven and tapestry panels created by Filipino artisans from across the country, and immersive digital installations throughout.
Elsewhere in the Pavilion there is a gift shop, food stall, and a Hilot Wellness Space. Live showcases and performances by the Cultural Center of the Philippines take place daily.
See more photos here
Philippines Oldest Distillery bags 3 World’s Best Liqueur Awards
Destileria Limtuaco & Company Inc secured three awards at the recent Global Taste and Design winners – Worlds Drink Awards 2025. Organised by The Drinks Report.
- Their Intramuros Liqueur De Cacao bagged the Country Winner in the World’s Best Chocolate Liquor category.
- Amadeo Coffee Liqueur also secured a Country Winner title in the Best Coffee Liqueur category.
- And the company’s Manille Liqueur de Calamansi received the Gold Winner award in the Country Best Fruit Liqueur category.
The Awards ceremony was held at The Waldorf Hotel, London
Destileria Limtuaco & Company Inc is the Philippines oldest distillery and was established in 1852. Aside from its lauded chocolate liquor the company offers 40 different products from wine, coridals and syrups, through to Whisky, and has three bottling, processing and aging plants in the country.
You can order their award winning liqueurs here
World Tourism and Travel Council projects a P5.9 trillion tourism industry contribution to the PH economy.
The World Tourism and Travel Council anticipates strong growth in the Philippine tourism industry, projecting a record P5.9 trillion contribution to the economy by the end of 2025.
This will be an 11% increase compared to 2024, and a13.5% increase compared to 2019.
The projection is based on the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) continued efforts to promote the Philippines as a diverse tourism destination, including focusing on culture, food and gastronomy tourism.
1st Hotel Connect Forum set to take place 24-25 July 2025
The Philippine Hotel Owners Association has rebranded their Philippine Tourism Hotel and Investment Summit, naming it Philippine Hotel Connect.
The first Hotel Connect Forum will take place on 24 and 25 July 2025, at the Marriot Grand Ballroom, Manila, with the aim of promoting tourism and hotel investments and to support the DOT’s TIEZA initiatives to expand capacity in the Accommodation sector.
Follow their event page if you are interested in attending the Forum.
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