Hotel101 Partners with DOT and DMW to Launch Tourism Program for OFWs, Here’s All You Need to Know

Published on December 27, 2025

In a significant step toward supporting the welfare and reintegration of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), Hotel101 Group has partnered with the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) to launch the “Balik Bayani sa Turismo” (BBST) Program. This initiative, which is part of the broader IPON Tourism strategy, is designed to provide OFWs with sustainable livelihood and investment opportunities within the Philippine tourism sector.

Ceremonial Signing and Commitment to Sustainable Livelihoods
The ceremonial signing of the agreement took place on November 27, 2025, at the Department of Tourism’s main office in Makati City. Key figures in the tourism and migrant workers sectors, including DOT Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco, DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, and Hotel101 General Manager Charley Magabo, were present to formalize the collaboration. During the signing, the government representatives emphasized the importance of creating opportunities for OFWs to invest in the Philippine tourism industry as part of their reintegration into the country’s economic fabric.

Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco expressed her excitement about the new partnership: “Today’s signing with IPON Tourism marks a significant expansion of our collaboration with DMW. This pillar allows OFWs to actively participate in the tourism industries as investors or entrepreneurs. Opportunities include condotel investments, offering credible and structured paths to long-term financial security.”

Investment Opportunities for OFWs in Philippine Tourism
The BBST Program provides OFWs with access to investment opportunities in various Hotel101 projects across the Philippines, including the Hotel101-Davao and Hotel101-Libis Bridgetowne properties. Through these investments, OFWs can secure a 30% share in gross hotel revenues, along with 10 complimentary stay vouchers that are redeemable at any Hotel101 property worldwide. This initiative aims to offer OFWs a transparent and rewarding investment model, while providing them with a stake in the growing hospitality sector.

“Hotel101 proudly offers investment pathways that are transparent, accessible, and rewarding for OFWs,” said GM Charley Magabo. “Our OFWs are more than just contributors to the economy—they are partners in progress. This initiative gives them a meaningful stake in the hospitality industry and access to exclusive experiences in the Philippines and abroad.”

The investment structure is designed to offer OFWs a long-term, sustainable source of income. It also presents an opportunity to diversify their income streams by becoming part owners of properties that generate ongoing revenues. This model helps OFWs secure their financial future while also contributing to the growth of the Philippine tourism industry.

Hotel101’s Growing Global Presence and Future Expansion
Hotel101, a homegrown Filipino brand, continues to expand both within the Philippines and internationally. With properties already established in Manila and Fort Bonifacio, Hotel101 is set to grow further with the opening of Hotel101-Davao and Hotel101-Cebu in the coming year. The brand also has international expansion plans, with Hotel101 properties slated to open in Madrid and Niseko, Japan.

Magabo emphasized the group’s vision for a global network of Hotel101 properties, saying, “Our vision is to bring the Filipino hotel brand to 100 countries worldwide, creating a network where every Filipino—whether guest or unit owner—feels at home anywhere.” This expansion will not only increase the global presence of the Hotel101 brand but also create more opportunities for Filipinos, both locally and abroad, to engage with the hospitality industry.

Hotel101’s International Success and Financial Milestones
Hotel101’s growth has been marked by significant milestones. On July 1, 2025, it became the first Filipino company to be listed on the US NASDAQ, reflecting the innovation and resilience of the Filipino brand on the international stage. As of November 25, 2025, Hotel101 Global boasts a market capitalization of $1.9 billion USD (₱112 billion), positioning it as a major contributor to US dollar inflows to the Philippine economy.

This success highlights the potential for OFWs to benefit from the continued growth of Hotel101, especially with the brand’s expansion into international markets. The partnership with DOT and DMW ensures that OFWs not only benefit from the success of Hotel101’s developments but also have a voice in shaping the future of tourism in the Philippines.

Impact on Filipino Tourism and the Economy
The launch of the BBST program is expected to have a significant impact on both the Philippine tourism industry and the wider economy. By providing OFWs with an opportunity to invest in tourism properties, the program supports sustainable tourism development and encourages long-term financial involvement in the country’s tourism sector. The program also aligns with the Philippine government’s broader efforts to boost economic growth by tapping into the resources and expertise of its diaspora.

Through this partnership, Hotel101, DOT, and DMW are reinforcing the importance of inclusive tourism that benefits not only the industry’s stakeholders but also the local communities and the people who have helped sustain the country’s economy. The success of the BBST program could inspire similar initiatives in other industries, further empowering OFWs and improving their financial well-being.

Empowering OFWs and Strengthening Philippine Tourism

The partnership between Hotel101, DOT, and DMW made possible by the Balik Bayani sa Turismo (BBST) program is a historic moment for OFWs, marking a new approach for their integration into the tourism sector. Through the provision of investment and financial literacy education for OFWs, this program makes sure that OFWs also have a stake in the future of the Philippine economy. Furthermore, this will be beneficial for the development of the Philippine tourism industry and for the overall financial well-being of Filipinos locally and overseas.