Makati City, Philippines – Building on the success of last year’s Philippine Tourism and Hotel Investment Summit, the Philippine Hotel Owners Association (PHOA) — the leading voice of the country’s hospitality sector representing 217 operational hotels and over 40,000 rooms nationwide — proudly presents Philippine Hotel Connect (PHCon) 2025.
“We are very happy to introduce the PHConnect 2025 that we expanded to two-day event. This year our speaker line-up is truly exceptional. We have secured confirmation of stakeholders of industry,” said PHOA President Arthur Lopez.
Set for July 24–25, 2025 at the Manila Marriott Hotel, this two-day event, co-presented by TIEZA and PAGCOR, is designed to drive continued growth in the Philippines’ vibrant tourism and hospitality industry.
Now in its second year, PHCon 2025 promises a powerful lineup of speakers, insightful sessions, and exceptional networking. Over 250 delegates and 30 exhibitors from across the hotel, tourism, and travel sectors are expected to attend.
Speaking during the press conference recently, PHConnect Chairperson and 1st SVP of Filinvest Hospitality Corp. Francis Gotianun stated, “PHConnect 2025, is bigger and better. Our conference has a set of sections, and these sections include a macroeconomic view of what’s happening in your local tourism market. We’ll have discussions with large independent hotel developers and operators. There will be section about transportation and aviation connectivity in the Philippines, as well as discussion of ‘travelers of tomorrow’. It is the premier platform for networking and for understanding the Philippine hotel investment climate.”
Conference highlights
• Panel on Hospitality Investment: Featuring executives like Kevin Tan (Alliance Global) and Mariana Zobel de Ayala (Ayala Land), this session explores investment trends reshaping the industry.
• The Power of Gaming and Integrated Resorts: Examines how gaming, entertainment, and hospitality converge to fuel tourism growth.
• Emerging Travel Hotspots: Spotlights promising destinations and strategies for inclusive and authentic development.
• Tomorrow’s Travelers: Discusses evolving traveler behavior, social media influence, and brand strategies — with insights from Booking.com and TikTok leaders.
• Building Filipino Hospitality Brands: Focuses on creating homegrown brands that inspire loyalty and reflect Filipino identity participated by Discovery Hospitality, James Montenegro, and Roshan Nandwani.
• Gateways to Seamless Travel: Features airline and regulatory leaders on improving travel access and affordability across the Philippines.
Attendees will also hear from key figures such as DOT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, Mark Lapid (TIEZA COO), Alejandro Tengco (PAGCOR Chair), and plenary speakers from ASEAN Tourism Association, Boston Consulting Group, and Five Hotels.
As PHOA continues its advocacy for sustainable growth and global competitiveness, PHCon 2025 offers a vital opportunity for collaboration, innovation, and shaping the future of Philippine tourism.
