Backed by a P10-billion capex and funded through internal cash flows, the initiative will grow SMHCC’s portfolio from 10 to 17 hotels and expand its room inventory by 51 percent, from 2,602 to 3,923 rooms. What’s more telling: only one of these will be put up in Metro Manila.
The remaining six—spread across Calabarzon (two), Central Luzon (one), Cebu (two), and Laoag (one)—are being strategically woven into SM Prime Holdings’ broader footprint of malls, convention centers, and mixed-use developments.
“This rollout reflects our belief in the long-term potential of the Philippine domestic travel and tourism market,” said SMHCC EVP Peggy Angeles. “We are building on the strength of regional tourism while delivering quality accommodations that enhance the value of our ecosystem of malls, event spaces and mixed-use developments.”
Broader playbook
Six of the new properties will carry the Park Inn by Radisson brand, known for accessible business and leisure hospitality. One will be developed under the Radisson nameplate, signaling a luxury play.
But more than just a hospitality story, SMHCC’s expansion hints at a broader playbook: one where hotels serve as hubs for jobs, tourism flows, events, and local supply chains.
Laoag’s upcoming property, for instance, will not only offer lodging but also activate the surrounding economy—benefiting food vendors, tour guides, and transport services. In Cebu, the new Park Inns are expected to strengthen MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, exhibitions) infrastructure alongside SM Seaside and SMX venues.
Catalyst for local economic activity
“Our hotels serve as catalysts for local economic activity,” Angeles added. “We are focused on creating long-term value—through jobs, tourism flows, and sustained growth that enhances SM Prime’s diversified revenue base.”
The company’s newest hybrid offering, Lanson Place in the Mall of Asia Complex, exemplifies this integrated approach—blending hotel services with long-stay options in a lifestyle and retail-driven district.
In a post-pandemic landscape where domestic tourism and regional real estate are rebounding faster than luxury travel, SMHCC is quietly shaping the next wave of local hospitality—one provincial city at a time. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
