The Philippines’ Department of Tourism has signed a memorandum of understanding with Newport World Resorts to promote entertainment-led tourism. The partnership aims to encourage visitors to stay longer and spend more in the country.
Newport World Resorts, Philippines tourism department team up for entertainment offerings. The agreement promotes live performances and cultural productions. Newport World Resorts will develop “stay, dine and watch” packages centred on Metro Manila.
- Partnership Agreement Details
- “Broadway of Asia” Vision
- Westside Resort Development
- Tourism Arrivals Data
- Visa-Free Entry Expansion
The Philippines’ Department of Tourism has signed a memorandum of understanding with casino complex Newport World Resorts. The agreement, signed on Tuesday, covers the promotion of live performances, cultural productions, culinary experiences and other leisure attractions. Under the partnership, the tourism department will incorporate Newport World Resorts’ offerings into its “Love the Philippines” and “Discover More to Love” promotional campaigns. Newport World Resorts will in turn develop integrated “stay, dine and watch” packages, visitor itineraries centred on Metro Manila, and explore promotional rates and ticket offers. “Entertainment has become one of the strongest reasons travellers choose to visit and return to a destination,” said Tourism Secretary Maria Bernardita Angara-Mathay. She added that the collaboration was also an opportunity to support the country’s creative economy while incorporating entertainment experiences into wider efforts to grow Philippine tourism.
Newport World Resorts, Philippines tourism department team up
Newport World Resorts is a casino and leisure complex located next to Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport. It is operated by Travellers International Hotel Group Inc, part of local conglomerate Alliance Global Group. Nilo Thaddeus Rodriguez (pictured, centre left), president and chief executive of Newport World Resorts, said tourism destinations needed to 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,” he stated. Live entertainment under the partnership will be anchored by Full House Theater Company, Newport World Resorts’ production arm.
The latter is also due to serve as the production arm of the under-development Westside Resort in Manila’s Entertainment City, according to the DOT. The tourism department said the new resort, scheduled to open this year, would include four theatre venues. Westside Resort is being developed through a partnership involving Travellers International and Philippine-listed Suntrust Resort Holdings Inc. The DOT said Newport World Resorts and Westside Resort were expanding their entertainment offerings as part of a broader effort to position the Philippines as the “Broadway of Asia”.
“Broadway of Asia” Vision
The DOT said Newport World Resorts and Westside Resort were expanding their entertainment offerings as part of a broader effort to position the Philippines as the “Broadway of Asia”. This ambition reflects the country’s desire to attract international visitors through high-quality cultural and leisure experiences. The partnership with Newport World Resorts, a casino and leisure complex, underscores the integration of gaming and tourism as a single ecosystem. Live entertainment under the partnership will be anchored by Full House Theater Company, Newport World Resorts’ production arm. The latter is also due to serve as the production arm of the under-development Westside Resort in Manila’s Entertainment City, according to the DOT. The tourism department said the new resort, scheduled to open this year, would include four theatre venues.
Westside Resort is being developed through a partnership involving Travellers International and Philippine-listed Suntrust Resort Holdings Inc. This collaborative structure ensures that entertainment-led tourism drives longer stays and higher spending. For Asian players tracking regional developments, the AGBrief platform covers regional gaming developments.
Tourism Arrivals Data
The agreement comes as the Philippine government seeks to increase international tourism arrivals. The country recorded 4.11 million foreign arrivals in the first eight months of 2026, up 3.7 percent year-on-year, according to DOT data reported this week. Ms Angara-Mathay also said this week that the government was working to expand visa-free entry for Chinese-mainland passport holders beyond Manila and Cebu to include Clark, Bohol, Palawan and Caticlan, the gateway to Boracay. Chinese arrivals to the Philippines rose nearly 69.2 percent year-on-year in the first eight months of 2026, to 310,088.
This rapid growth in Chinese tourism highlights the effectiveness of visa-free expansion. The government’s push to position the Philippines as the “Broadway of Asia” aligns with these statistical gains. By integrating Newport World Resorts’ entertainment offerings, the country aims to convert casual visitors into repeat tourists. The partnership’s “stay, dine and watch” packages are designed to capitalize on this momentum. As a result, the Philippines is seeing a shift from pure leisure tourism to entertainment-driven tourism.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Newport World Resorts partnership?
The Philippines’ Department of Tourism signed a memorandum of understanding with Newport World Resorts. It promotes live performances and cultural productions to encourage visitors to stay longer and spend more.
What are the “stay, dine and watch” packages?
Newport World Resorts will develop integrated visitor itineraries centred on Metro Manila. These packages include promotional rates and ticket offers to enhance entertainment-led tourism experiences.
How many foreign arrivals did the Philippines record?
The country recorded 4.11 million foreign arrivals in the first eight months of 2026. This represents a 3.7 percent year-on-year growth, according to DOT data reported this week.
What is the Westside Resort?
Westside Resort is an under-development resort in Manila’s Entertainment City. It is scheduled to open this year with four theatre venues and is being developed through a partnership with Suntrust Resort Holdings Inc.
How did Chinese arrivals grow?
Chinese arrivals to the Philippines rose nearly 69.2 percent year-on-year in the first eight months of 2026, reaching 310,088. This growth is linked to the government’s expansion of visa-free entry for Chinese-mainland passport holders.
This article has been thoroughly researched and reviewed by the CasinoBait editorial team to ensure accuracy and relevance for Asian casino players.
