Manila: The number of Philippine hotel keys expected to open by 2032 is projected to reach 45,884 across 213 properties, reflecting a 14 percent and 35 percent increase from the numbers projected two years ago.
According to Philippines News Agency, this pipeline translates to at least PHP387 billion in committed capital, covering openings from 2026 through 2032. About 64,000 direct hotel jobs are anticipated to be created if all these projects come to fruition.
This year alone, 8,437 keys are expected to open, including Mandarin Oriental Makati, Hotel101 Cebu Mactan, I'Msignia Resort Boracay, and Plaza de Zamboanga-Dusit Collection. Between 2027 and 2028, a significant portion of the incoming inventory will be developed by The Ascott Limited and Radisson Hotel Group, with properties across Laguna, Davao, Cebu, Metro Manila, Pangasinan, and San Vicente, Palawan.
A total of 6,411 keys across 21 properties are slated to open in 2029, which includes the country's first JW Marriott in Panglao and Moxy Hotel in Circuit Makati. From 2030 onwards, PHOA and Leechiu indicated that expansion by several brands such as Hann Resorts, Emblems, Sofitel, SO/, InterContinental, and Banyan Tree Residences would add at least 10,432 luxury and lifestyle keys across the country.
Leechiu Director for Hotels, Tourism, and Leisure Alfred Lay emphasized that 70 percent of the overall pipeline is planned near international gateways, highlighting the need for more airports to unlock additional investment destinations. Lay stated, "These are very real figures and expression of intent of the industry itself. The investments that are being committed are following connectivity and economic activity in the country."
The report revealed that 75 percent of Luzon and 42 percent of the national pipeline are located within the Luzon Economic Corridor (LEC), with development clustering from Clark and New Clark City through Metro Manila to Batangas and Laguna. The pipeline also extends into several destinations in Visayas and Mindanao, including Oslob, Siquijor, Moalboal, Siargao, Cagayan de Oro, and Davao. Mindanao, in particular, now has 21 tracked properties, a 31-percent increase from the 16 projected two years ago.
With this updated pipeline, PHOA and Leechiu urged the government to align with the private sector's planned expansions. "The pipeline report is essentially an indication of what the hotel industry can more or less do itself," Lay said, stressing the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors.
In the same event, PHOA announced the staging of the upcoming Cebu Hotel Connect 2026, aimed at attracting more investors to the Cebu accommodation sector. PHOA Executive Director Benito Bengzon Jr. highlighted Cebu's strong brand equity and the event's potential to showcase high-growth tourism investment opportunities in the region.
The anticipated summit in Cebu, scheduled for Sept. 24-25, will gather over a hundred delegates, including hotel investors, developers, owners, operators, government officials, and other tourism stakeholders.
