TOURISM FORAY (From left) RHR associate director for business development Mario Cuengco, RHR senior vice president and business unit general manager Barun Jolly and HHI president Haresh Hiranand sign the memorandum of agreement for the Siargao resort project. —Contributed photo
Leading local hotel operator Robinsons Hotels & Resorts (RHR) will debut on Siargao Islands’ thriving tourism property scene in 2026 with the launch of an “eco-friendly” luxury villa resort.
RHR has teamed up with local investment group, Hira Holdings, Inc. (HHI), to open the villa resort in Brgy. Malinao, General Luna, with a total land area of 2,856 square meters.
The hospitality arm of the Gokongwei group signed a 10-year management agreement “to bring global hospitality standards with a unique Filipino heart of service” to Siargao.
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The resort will have 20 luxury villas that are envisioned to offer personalized services to discerning travelers.
HHI, known as the first franchisee of leading quick-service restaurant Jollibee Foods Corp., has ventured into hotel development in line with the vision to propel the Philippines to the forefront of the Southeast Asian tourism industry.
“We are grateful to RHR for opening this opportunity to us. We are confident with the brands and capacity of Robinsons Hotels; that’s why it was easy for us to trust and sign with our very first hotel and we look forward to building more with them in the future,” says Haresh Hiranand, HHI president.
RHR has 30 strategically located hotels nationwide under five local hotel brands namely, Go Hotels, Go Hotels Plus, Summit Hotels and Resorts, Grand Summit Hotels and Fili Hotel.Barun Jolly, senior vice president and RHR business unit head, says, “We are delighted to have this meaningful partnership with Hira Holdings Inc., a company that holds the same values with RHR. This partnership signifies a step forward in our mission to continuously expand our presence geographically while maintaining our commitment to exceptional service and sustainable practices.”
This collaboration aims to “boost Siargao’s tourism appeal while providing guests with a serene retreat that reflects the island’s charm and tranquility.”
Siargao, famous for its world-class surfing spots, has seen significant growth in tourism in recent years. In 2023, the island recorded 529,822 tourist arrivals, surging from 125,008 arrivals in the past year. This burgeoning popularity is seen to make Siargao an ideal location for RHR’s newest luxury venture.
Barun adds that RHR’s expansion plans have diversified to include franchising and management agreements. “We are confident in the bullish economic projection of the country and with our expertise in hotel brand development, we would like to enable optimistic investors who want to venture into the hospitality industry as well,” he adds. —CONTRIBUTED