The Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) gathered key players in the tourism investment landscape for its inaugural “2025 TIEZA-TEZMS Partners and Stakeholders Appreciation Night: Champions of Sustainable Tourism” on 21 July 2025 at the Manila Hotel. The event spotlighted the growing synergy between the public and private sectors in driving sustainable tourism, and honored enterprises and institutions whose partnerships have helped shape inclusive, high-impact tourism development nationwide.
Welcoming close to 200 distinguished guests, the event brought together TIEZA’s Registered Business Enterprises (RBEs), partner government agencies, local government units, and tourism stakeholders in celebration of shared milestones and stronger collaborations.
TIEZA Chief Operating Officer Mark T. Lapid formally opened the evening with a message of thanks and recognition, underscoring the collective contributions of partners to both tourism growth and heritage protection. He also highlighted TIEZA’s expanding role as the Department of Tourism’s Infrastructure and Investment arm.
“On the investments side, we have secured a total committed investment cost amounting to ₱225.7 billion while in terms of employment, a total of 131,805 jobs are committed to be generated. These figures underscore the growing confidence of investors in the Philippine tourism sector and affirm TIEZA’s continued role as the key Investment Promotion Agency in driving high-impact tourism investments nationwide through our expanding portfolio of registered business enterprises,” COO Lapid shared.
A key highlight of the evening was the presentation of Plaques of Appreciation to all Registered Business Enterprises (RBEs) under TIEZA’s Tourism Enterprise Zone Management Sector
(TEZMS). Long-time and newly registered enterprises alike were honored, including: Alphaland Balesin Island Club, Inc., Bravo Hotel Corporation, Cresta De Oro Philippines, Inc., Discovery
World Corporation, Enchanted Kingdom, Inc., Euro-Pacific Resorts, Inc., FHG Development Corporation, Global-Estate Resorts, Inc., Hacienda Primera Development Corporation, Happy Castle, Inc., Lazuli Resort Corporation, Kabote Beach Resort, Naga Queenstown Realty & Development, Inc., Panglao Bay Premiere Parks & Resorts Corp.; Bukid Amara Tourism Agriventures Corporation (Davao), AppleOne Mactan, Inc. (Cebu), Anjo Global Sourcing Inc. (Cebu), ALL5 Global Corp. (Muntinlupa), Vertical Village Inc. (Pampanga), Intelligent Beauty Skin Solutions, Inc. (San Juan), Behemoth Property Management Corp. (Surigao del Norte), and the City Government of Puerto Princesa, Palawan.
TIEZA also recognized key institutional partners supporting its Flagship Tourism Enterprise Zones (FTEZs) such as the Municipal Government of San Vicente, Palawan, Department of National Defense, Philippine Veterans Affairs Office, Provincial Government of Bataan, and the National Parks Development Committee.
The agency further awarded partners who enabled a more seamless investment climate through regulatory, technical, and digital support, including the City Government of Silay, the Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB), InterCommerce Network Services, Inc. (INSI), and the DENR-Environmental Management Bureaus (Regions IVA and V).
A significant milestone of the evening was the Ceremonial Signing of Memoranda of Agreement (MOAs) with the Bureau of Immigration and Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone Authority and Freeport as well as the Registration Agreement of the City Government of Puerto Princesa to officially register the Sta. Lucia Tourism Enterprise Zone. These collaborations aim to further strengthen regulatory support, and promote cohesive development in the tourism sector.
Adding depth to the evening were video testimonials from RBEs and partner agencies, highlighting on-the-ground stories of resilience, impact, and innovation in the tourism enterprise zones. These narratives reflected how tourism ventures, when empowered with the right incentives and partnerships, can uplift communities, protect ecosystems, and create long-term value.
In her closing remarks, Assistant COO Karen Sarinas-Baydo reaffirmed TIEZA’s commitment to nurturing a sustainable investment climate:
“Tonight is more than a celebration—it is an affirmation of what we can achieve together. We pay tribute to all our Registered Business Enterprises and stakeholders whose hard work makes sustainable tourism possible. As the IPA for tourism, TIEZA stands firmly with you—committed to fostering an environment where investments thrive, communities benefit, and tourism flourishes.”
Another highlight of the evening was the launch of the RBE Performance Awards, which will be formally implemented in the coming year. The awards aim to recognize tourism enterprises that go beyond compliance—championing inclusive employment, community-based initiatives, and environmental sustainability across various sectors, including accommodation, wellness, MICE, and tour services.
As it deepens collaboration with stakeholders and institutional partners, TIEZA remains focused on its role as a catalyst for sustainable tourism development—ensuring that progress benefits not only investors, but also the communities and environments that define the Philippine tourism experience.
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