TIEZA expects more tourism ecozones in 2019

MANILA, Philippines — The Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) has approved the entry of three new tourism enterprises and expects to approve more applications next year.

TIEZA signed three tourism enterprise zone (TEZ) partnership agreements for the registration of three tourism enterprises, namely Signature Suites in Boracay, Aklan; Kabote Beach Resort and Lazuli, both of which are located inside the flagship TEZ in San Vicente, Palawan.

“The newly registered tourism enterprises (RTEs) will provide more grounds for tourism development through the investment opportunities offered and the generation of employment especially to the locals in the area,” TIEZA said.

Signature Suites is an 11-villa all-suites expansion of the existing 88-room Discovery Shores Resort in Boracay operated by the Discovery World Corp.

It entails the development of a four-story building with two basements and a roof deck level, swimming pool, jacuzzis, lobby, reception,bar and restaurant, court garden, planting strip, tensile structure with lounge chairs and utility rooms.

Kabote Beach Resort, on the other hand, is a three-story, 27-room accommodation which aims to provide quality service at an affordable rate.

In addition, Lazuli is a 12-room accommodation enterprise to be located in a 6,315 square meter beach front facility.

TIEZA said the RTEs represent and promote the beauty of the Philippines through the incorporation of Philippine culture in its architectural design and products.

“Kabote Beach, for example, aims to promote the culture of San Vicente by prioritizing the hiring of locals and natives of the area as well as retaining the cultural aspects through building partnership with local farmers and fishermen, and the participation of cultural-related activities through the promotion of local cuisines and products,” TIEZA said.

It added that Lazuli will also feature native architecture and local harbor to promote the natural beauty of the Philippines.

“These will not only introduce the strong foundation of Philippine culture in different aspects to foreign tourists, but will ultimately strengthen and bring the community together,” TIEZA said.

The registration of the new tourism enterprises brings the total number of RTEs to six, together with previously registered tourism enterprises.

Among these are Philippine Arena, Kingdome Stadium inside Kingdom Global City and Magikland inside Aton Land and Leisure Zone.

Apart from RTEs, TIEZA has currently five flagship TEZs and seven private TEZs.

TIEZA chief operating officer Pocholo Paragas said the registration of the three new tourism enterprises will be the last for this year, but they are expecting more approvals in 2019.

Paragas said the agency is allowed to approve TEZ applications until August of next year.

“Given that short period, (we expect) about 12 (approvals) for next year,” Paragas said.

“And then of course  we’re still trying to review what we can do further to increase incentives,” he said.

Last year, the Bureau of Internal Revenue clarified that the incentives for TEZs under RA 9593 or the Tourism Act of 2009 may be enjoyed by investors even beyond 2019 until these incentives are fully realized.