LG Expands Commercial Laundry Push in Europe With New Equipment and Connected Solutions

LG Expands Commercial Laundry Push in Europe With New Equipment and Connected Solutions

Tuesday, October 27, 2026

The company showcased its professional laundry lineup and wet-cleaning technology at EXPODETERGO INTERNATIONAL 2026 in Milan as it pursues new European distribution partnerships.

LG Electronics is expanding its commercial laundry business in Europe, showcasing professional laundry equipment and connected management solutions at EXPODETERGO INTERNATIONAL 2026 in Milan, Italy, from October 23 to 26.

The exhibition brings together equipment and technology providers serving the professional textile-care industry. For LG, the event provides a platform to present its broader commercial laundry portfolio to business customers, strengthen existing distributor relationships, and pursue new dealer partnerships across Europe.

The company’s display includes semi-commercial and professional laundry equipment, a wet-cleaning solution for the European market, and digital tools designed to help business operators monitor equipment and manage laundry operations.

The expansion reflects LG’s efforts to move beyond its established semi-commercial business and build a stronger position in the professional laundry sector.

Professional laundry lineup brings AI-assisted load management

Among the products showcased at the Milan exhibition are mass-produced models from LG’s Professional Laundry lineup, which incorporates technologies intended to manage loads and improve equipment stability.

Its AI Weight Detection technology identifies the size of a laundry load and adjusts water use accordingly. The Dynamic Ball-Core System uses a built-in gyroscope sensor to detect drum imbalances in real time, while a ball balancer helps stabilize the load and reduce vibration.

These features are designed to address operating considerations for commercial laundry businesses, where equipment may handle repeated loads throughout the day.

The professional lineup forms part of LG’s wider portfolio for businesses with different laundry requirements, including operators seeking equipment for commercial premises and professional textile-care services.

Wet-cleaning solution targets delicate garments

LG is also presenting its Wet Cleaning solution to the European market, offering an alternative to conventional dry-cleaning methods.

The technology uses water and specially formulated detergents intended to clean delicate garments while helping manage risks such as shrinkage, color transfer, and changes in fabric texture.

The solution incorporates MotionCare technology, combining gentle washing with low-temperature drying. Carefully controlled drum movements are designed to reduce the risk of fabric damage during cleaning.

For professional textile-care operators, wet cleaning can provide another option for handling garments that require more careful treatment. Actual results depend on fabric type, garment-care instructions, detergent selection, and operating conditions.

Connected tools support laundry business operations

Beyond equipment, LG is promoting digital management solutions aimed at helping business customers oversee their laundry operations.

The LG LaundryCrew app allows owners and users to remotely monitor and manage connected laundry equipment. The company’s Open API, meanwhile, enables business-to-business customers to integrate supported equipment data with existing business systems through a separate system development process.

These tools can help operators incorporate equipment monitoring into their wider workflows and develop management platforms suited to their business requirements.

For commercial laundry providers, connected systems can be relevant to equipment oversight, operational planning, and performance tracking. The extent of those capabilities depends on the equipment, integrations, and systems deployed by each customer.

Distributor partnerships underpin European expansion

LG’s commercial laundry expansion builds on distributor relationships in the United Kingdom, France, Italy, and Hungary.

In August 2026, the company secured a business-to-business order from SCHILLING Wäschereitechnik GmbH, a Germany-based distributor specializing in professional laundry and ironing equipment. Deliveries of LG’s semi-commercial and Professional Laundry products to Schilling were already underway, according to the company.

LG plans to strengthen its existing partnerships while developing new dealer relationships across Europe. Its participation in EXPODETERGO INTERNATIONAL is intended to support those efforts by bringing its products and connected solutions to prospective business partners.

The company is also pursuing commercial laundry opportunities outside Europe. According to LG, it has increased supplies to North American operators CSC ServiceWorks and WASH while strengthening distribution partnerships in Thailand, the Philippines, and Vietnam.

Baek Seung-tae, president of LG’s Home Appliance Solution Company, said the Milan exhibition provides an opportunity to introduce the company’s commercial laundry portfolio and connected management solutions to European business partners.

He added that LG intends to build on its regional presence by strengthening partnerships and supporting customers’ operational efficiency.

What LG’s strategy means for the commercial laundry market

LG’s approach combines three elements: a wider range of commercial laundry equipment, technology designed to support garment care and machine stability, and connected tools for equipment management.

The strategy also relies on distribution. Partnerships with local dealers can help equipment manufacturers reach business customers and support market development in regions where they are expanding their professional offerings.

As LG pursues further growth in Europe and other markets, its ability to build distribution relationships and address the operational requirements of professional laundry businesses will be central to the expansion.

More information about LG’s business and products is available on the LG Electronics official website.

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Jollibee Group Wins PMAP Multi-Year Excellence Award

Jollibee Group Wins PMAP Multi-Year Excellence Award

The recognition marks nearly three decades of people management awards, including two Employer of the Year distinctions and a People Manager of the Year honor.

Jollibee Foods Corporation, known as the Jollibee Group, has received the Multi-Year Excellence Award from the People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP), recognizing its track record in people management and contributions to workplace practices.

The company was among four organizations honored with the award during the 50th PMAP Awards Night on October 22 at the Marriott Grand Ballroom in Pasay City. The ceremony formed part of PMAP’s 63rd Annual Conference and marked the 50-year history of its awards program.

The Multi-Year Excellence Award is one of the special Golden Jubilee distinctions presented to organizations that have won at least three PMAP Awards over the years.

For the Jollibee Group, the recognition brings together previous awards spanning nearly three decades, reflecting its continued focus on employee development, workplace culture, and people management as the company expands its global restaurant business.

Three PMAP recognitions underpin the award

The Jollibee Group’s record of PMAP recognition began in 1998, when Jollibee Foods Corporation received the Employer of the Year Award for the first time.

The company received the same distinction again in 2024. That year, Arsenio Sabado, the Group’s global chief human resources officer, was also named PMAP’s People Manager of the Year.

These three awards established the basis for the company’s latest recognition under PMAP’s Multi-Year Excellence Award category.

The sequence of honors highlights the importance of people management within the organization, from company-wide employment practices to leadership in the human resources profession.

Ernesto Tanmantiong, global president and chief executive officer of the Jollibee Group, said the recognition reflects the contributions of employees who have helped shape the company over the years.

He added that the Group intends to continue building a workplace where employees can contribute meaningfully, develop their potential, and find opportunities for growth alongside the business.

‘Choose Joy’ guides the company’s employee proposition

The company’s approach to workplace culture includes Choose Joy, its employer value proposition, which emphasizes employee fulfillment, capability development, and meaningful contributions to the organization.

As the Jollibee Group grows internationally, people management remains part of its approach to supporting employees while pursuing business objectives.

For large organizations, employee development and engagement can affect how effectively teams adapt to changing business needs, maintain service standards, and support expansion. Sustaining those practices requires continued attention to employee needs as well as organizational priorities.

Sabado said workplace excellence requires organizations to keep improving as employee expectations and business requirements change.

He described the award as recognition of work carried out over many years, while emphasizing the responsibility to continue improving how the company supports its workforce.

People management remains part of the growth agenda

The Multi-Year Excellence Award adds to the Jollibee Group’s history of recognition from PMAP and places sustained people management among the company’s established organizational priorities.

The distinction also underscores the role of human resources leadership in shaping workplace practices over time. Rather than relying on a single initiative or achievement, the award recognizes a record of multiple distinctions across different years.

For organizations managing growth and workforce change, the challenge extends beyond attracting employees. It also involves developing talent, supporting well-being, and maintaining a workplace where employees can continue to grow as business needs evolve.

The Jollibee Group’s latest PMAP recognition provides a milestone in that longer-term effort as the company continues to pursue its global ambitions.

For more information about the company, visit the Jollibee Group's official website.

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Manulife UITFs Rank Among Top Performers in First Nine Months of 2026

Manulife UITFs Rank Among Top Performers in First Nine Months of 2026

The investment firm's semiconductor, technology, clean energy, Asia equity, and short-duration bond funds placed first in several Philippine peso-denominated UITF categories.

Several unit investment trust funds (UITFs) managed by Manulife Investments Philippines ranked among the country's top performers for the first nine months of 2026, with funds covering technology, clean energy, Asian equities, and fixed income securing leading positions in their respective categories.

Based on performance figures for January 1 to September 30, 2026, published through the Unit Investment Trust Fund (UITF) Performance and Returns portal, Manulife Investment Management and Trust Corporation placed three funds in the top positions of the Feeder Fund - Equity category. It also secured the top spot in the separate Equity category and the Feeder Fund - Fixed Income category.

The results span investment strategies with different market exposures, from semiconductor and technology stocks to Asian bonds, illustrating the range of investment products available to Filipino investors.

Semiconductor fund posts 100.74% return

The Manulife Global Semiconductor Opportunities Equity Feeder Fund ranked first in the Feeder Fund - Equity category, posting a reported return of 100.74% for the period.

The fund provides exposure to companies in the global semiconductor industry, whose products support artificial intelligence (AI), data centers, smartphones, vehicles, and other digital technologies.

Two other Manulife funds followed in the same category. The Manulife Global Technology Equity Feeder Fund ranked second, with a 38.43% return, while the Manulife Global Clean Energy Equity Feeder Fund placed third, returning 29.57%.

The technology fund invests across technology subsectors, while the clean energy fund focuses on companies involved in renewable power, electric vehicles, and the technologies and infrastructure supporting the energy transition.

The results highlight three distinct investment themes: semiconductor manufacturing and related technologies, the broader technology sector, and the shift toward cleaner energy.

Asia-focused equity fund leads its category

In the Equity category, the Manulife Asia Best Select Equity Fund (PHP Unhedged Class A) ranked first among retail share classes, posting a reported return of 38.01%.

The fund invests in a diversified portfolio of companies listed across Asian markets, excluding Japan. Its regional focus gives investors exposure to businesses operating in different Asian economies and industries.

While the three leading feeder funds focus on specific global investment themes, the Asia Best Select Equity Fund offers a different approach through exposure to companies across multiple markets in the region.

Short-duration bond fund tops fixed-income feeder category

Manulife also secured the leading position in the Feeder Fund - Fixed Income category through the Manulife Asia Short Duration Bond Feeder Fund (PHP Unhedged Class A), which posted a reported return of 6.36%.

The fund focuses on high-quality Asian bonds with maturities of less than three years. Its strategy differs from the equity funds, which are exposed to stock-market movements and specific sectors or regions.

Fixed-income funds and equity funds have different risk and return characteristics. Investors need to assess those differences in relation to their financial goals, investment horizon, and ability to withstand potential losses.

Digital access expands investment options

The funds form part of Manulife Investments Philippines' wider UITF offering, which provides access to local and international investment strategies.

Investors can explore the firm's available funds through Manulife Investments Philippines and open a UITF account online through Manulife iFUNDS, its digital investment platform.

Aira Gaspar, president and chief executive officer of Manulife Investments Philippines, said the company's range of UITFs is intended to serve Filipinos with different financial goals, needs, and risk appetites.

She added that the firm's investment strategies draw on global expertise to provide options for investors working toward long-term financial objectives.

What investors should consider

Strong historical returns can help investors understand how a fund performed over a specific period, but they do not guarantee similar results in the future.

A UITF is an investment product, not a bank deposit. It is not insured by the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC), and its value can rise or fall with the market. Investors may receive less than the amount they initially invested.

The reported returns for the first nine months of 2026 should therefore be viewed in the context of each fund's investment strategy, risk classification, fees, and market exposure. Before investing, individuals should review the fund's disclosure documents and determine whether its objectives and risks match their financial circumstances.

More information about UITFs, their performance, and the risks involved is available through the UITF Performance and Returns portal and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas' regulatory guidance.

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AIA Vitality Upgrade Adds Health Insights and Wellness Rewards

AIA Vitality Upgrade Adds Health Insights and Wellness Rewards

Sunday, October 25, 2026

The enhanced program introduces future health projections, photo-based meal tracking and complimentary MediCard health checks to encourage more proactive health management.

Taking care of your health involves more than exercising regularly or trying to eat better. Understanding your health risks, building sustainable habits and knowing when to seek medical advice are also important parts of long-term well-being.

AIA Philippines is expanding its approach to wellness with an upgraded version of AIA Vitality, adding personalized health insights, photo-based nutrition tracking and additional rewards designed to encourage healthier everyday choices.

The enhancements include Vitality Future Health projections, a Food Tracker that analyzes meal photos, and access to a complimentary AIA Vitality Health Check at MediCard, including a consultation with a MediCard doctor when results fall outside the normal range, subject to applicable terms.

The upgrade comes as the insurer highlights a gap between Filipinos' health intentions and their actions, pointing to the need for tools that can help people make health management a more consistent part of daily life.

From health awareness to everyday action

AIA Philippines' 2026 Rethink Healthy study found that seven in 10 Filipinos prioritize their physical health, while 60% said they no longer wanted to leave their mental well-being to chance. However, 83% reported becoming more proactive about their health only after major life events, including illness, hospitalization or job loss.

These findings point to a challenge that extends beyond awareness: knowing that health matters does not always translate into regular preventive action.

AIA Philippines President and CEO Melita Teo said the company's research indicates that Filipinos want to take greater ownership of their health but need support to turn that intention into lasting habits.

The enhanced AIA Vitality program is designed around that objective, combining health assessments, activity tracking, wellness services and rewards within a single member experience.

Personalized health insights take center stage

The upgraded program retains its three-part framework: Know Your Health, Improve Your Health, and Get Rewarded. Its expanded Health Assessment considers several dimensions of well-being, including physical activity, fitness, nutrition, biometrics, existing health conditions, mental well-being, sleep, and alcohol and tobacco use.

The assessment translates members' information into three measures:

• Vitality Age compares a member's health profile with their actual age.
• Vitality Health Priority identifies areas where members may benefit from focusing their efforts.
• Vitality Future Health estimates the additional healthy years a member could potentially gain through positive lifestyle changes.

These tools are intended to help members understand their health profile and identify areas for improvement. Future health projections should be understood as estimates based on the program's assessment methodology, not guarantees of an individual's lifespan or future medical outcomes.

For consumers, the practical value lies in using such insights as a starting point for informed decisions, including conversations with qualified healthcare professionals when appropriate.

A Food Tracker that starts with a meal photo

Nutrition tracking is another addition to the upgraded experience.

The new Food Tracker allows members to upload photos of their meals and receive food ratings, nutritional feedback and personalized tips. The tool also provides calorie and macronutrient information, while weekly reports offer a snapshot of eating patterns.

Photo-based tracking may make recording meals more convenient for people who find manual food logging time-consuming. It also offers a way to review eating habits over time rather than relying on memory alone.

However, automated food analysis has limitations. A photograph may not reveal exact portion sizes, hidden ingredients, cooking methods or the precise nutritional composition of a dish. The resulting estimates should therefore be treated as guidance rather than a substitute for professional nutritional advice, particularly for people managing medical conditions that require specific dietary recommendations.

The feature's usefulness will depend on how easily members can incorporate it into their routines and how effectively its feedback helps them make practical, sustainable changes.

Rewards are designed to reinforce healthy habits

AIA Vitality members progress through four status levels: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum. Members earn points through qualifying activities such as exercise, completing health assessments, healthy eating-related activities and meeting sleep targets.

As members accumulate points and advance through the program, they can unlock additional rewards and benefits. The approach is intended to make participation more engaging by connecting healthy behaviors with tangible incentives.

The upgraded program highlights several offers, subject to eligibility and applicable terms:

• Nike products: up to 50% off
• The Travel Club: up to 15% off luggage and accessories
• Garmin fitness devices: up to 15% off
• MediCard health checks: access to a complimentary AIA Vitality Health Check, including a consultation with a MediCard doctor for results outside the normal range

Discounts, eligibility rules and available offers may vary, so members should check the current AIA Vitality terms and partner information before making a purchase or booking a service.

The wider strategy connects wellness activities with consumer benefits. Rather than relying solely on health education, AIA Vitality seeks to encourage continued engagement through a combination of personal feedback, progress tracking and rewards.

Connecting wellness with health protection

AIA Vitality is available through selected AIA Philippines health solutions, including AIA Critical Protect Plus, AIA Critical Protect 100 and AIA All-in-One, as well as selected BPI AIA products, including BPI AIA MultiCare Protect and BPI AIA Critical Care 100.

This places the wellness program within a broader insurance offering that connects health protection with tools intended to support preventive care and lifestyle management.

For consumers evaluating these products, it is important to distinguish between the wellness program and the insurance policy itself. Coverage, premiums, exclusions, eligibility requirements and policy benefits depend on the specific product and its terms. Prospective members should review these details with an authorized insurance representative rather than making a decision based on wellness rewards alone.

AIA Vitality's existing program information also outlines how qualifying activities contribute to member status and how benefits may vary according to the product purchased and the member's participation. 

Making preventive health part of the routine

The upgraded AIA Vitality reflects an approach to wellness that combines assessment, behavior tracking, preventive services and incentives. Its new features offer members additional ways to review their health habits, while the MediCard health check benefit provides a route to screening and medical consultation under the program's applicable conditions.

The larger test is whether these tools help people sustain healthier behaviors beyond the initial excitement of a new feature or reward. Digital insights can support awareness, but long-term health also depends on access to appropriate medical care, sound information and habits that fit each person's circumstances.

For Filipinos looking to become more proactive about their well-being, the update offers another set of tools to explore. The most meaningful outcome will be whether those tools help turn health intentions into consistent action, one informed decision at a time.

Learn more about the program through the official AIA Vitality Philippines website.

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MediCard and The Medical City Partner on Healthcare Access

MediCard and The Medical City Partner on Healthcare Access

The collaboration highlights the role of healthcare partnerships, digital access and preventive wellness in improving the patient experience in the Philippines.

Healthcare access involves more than finding a doctor or hospital. For patients and HMO members, the experience also depends on how easily they can navigate services, access relevant information and receive support for their health needs.

MediCard, an AIA company and health maintenance organization (HMO), has partnered with The Medical City in a collaboration aimed at making healthcare more accessible and responsive to Filipinos.

Announced in October 2026, the partnership brings together MediCard's healthcare solutions and The Medical City's network of hospitals and clinics. The companies describe the collaboration as part of their shared commitment to improving healthcare experiences for members and patients across the country.

While the announcement does not detail specific changes to coverage or service delivery, the collaboration highlights a broader priority for the healthcare sector: strengthening the connections between healthcare financing, medical providers, digital services and preventive care.

Why connected healthcare matters

For patients, healthcare can involve several separate steps, from understanding available benefits and arranging consultations to accessing diagnostic services and following medical advice.

When these steps are difficult to navigate, patients may face additional administrative burdens. Partnerships between HMOs and healthcare providers can help address coordination challenges, although the results depend on how services are integrated and implemented.

MediCard's collaboration with The Medical City brings together two parts of the healthcare system: an HMO that provides healthcare plans and related services, and a healthcare institution that delivers medical care through its facilities and professionals.

The potential value of such arrangements lies in making the patient journey easier to navigate. To assess the practical impact of this partnership, members would need clear information about participating facilities, eligibility, covered services, referral procedures and any changes to existing arrangements.

Those details will help determine how the collaboration translates into everyday access for patients and members.

Digital tools add another dimension to healthcare access

Alongside its partnerships, MediCard is developing digital and wellness initiatives intended to help members engage more actively with their health.

One is MedGo, MediCard's app for accessing healthcare services. Digital platforms can provide a convenient point of access to relevant information and services, particularly for members who want to manage healthcare-related tasks through their mobile devices.

MediCard has also integrated Mental Health Wellbeing Support into MedGo. The platform is intended to empower members to monitor and manage their health proactively, with a focus on mental health and well-being.

For healthcare organizations, digital tools can complement in-person services by making certain interactions more convenient. Their effectiveness, however, depends on usability, access to reliable information, data privacy safeguards and the availability of appropriate professional support when needed.

Digital services should therefore be viewed as one part of a broader healthcare strategy, rather than a replacement for clinical assessment or treatment.

Preventive care remains part of the equation

MediCard's Livewell program is another component of its approach to member wellness. The program promotes healthier lifestyles through health education, screening initiatives and preventive care interventions.

Preventive care is important because healthcare needs are not limited to treating illnesses after symptoms appear. Appropriate screening, health education and timely consultations can help people make informed decisions about their health and identify concerns that may require professional attention.

For employers and healthcare organizations, wellness programs can also create opportunities to encourage healthier routines and greater awareness of available healthcare resources.

The value of these programs depends on participation, appropriate clinical guidance and whether members can access follow-up care when screening or consultations identify potential health concerns.

Together, MedGo, Mental Health Wellbeing Support and Livewell reflect MediCard's stated focus on combining service access with wellness and preventive care.

What the partnership could mean for the healthcare sector

The collaboration between MediCard and The Medical City comes amid a continuing need to make healthcare services easier for Filipinos to access and navigate.

For HMOs, relationships with healthcare providers are central to delivering the services members expect from their plans. For hospitals and clinics, partnerships can connect them with members seeking care through organized healthcare arrangements.

However, the existence of a partnership does not automatically mean that all services are covered at every facility or that all members will experience the same benefits. Patients should continue to confirm their eligibility, coverage limits, participating providers and any authorization requirements directly with their HMO.

The announcement does not specify whether the collaboration introduces new benefits, changes existing coverage, adds facilities to MediCard's network or establishes new patient referral arrangements. These operational details will be important in determining the partnership's direct effect on access and continuity of care.

Building a more responsive healthcare experience

MediCard and The Medical City say their collaboration reflects a shared commitment to more accessible healthcare for Filipinos. MediCard's digital access and wellness initiatives provide additional context for how the HMO is approaching member engagement beyond traditional healthcare plan administration.

The next measure of progress will be how effectively these efforts translate into practical improvements for patients and members, including clearer access to services, a smoother care journey and stronger connections between preventive health activities and clinical care.

As healthcare needs evolve, collaboration across providers, HMOs and digital services can play a role in shaping a more connected system. Ultimately, its value will be determined not simply by the number of partnerships established, but by the quality, accessibility and usefulness of the care people can actually receive.

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Klook Partner Awards 2026 Recognizes Businesses Driving Philippine Tourism

Klook Partner Awards 2026 Recognizes Businesses Driving Philippine Tourism

From attractions and hotels to transport providers, Klook’s annual awards highlight the businesses supporting domestic travel across the Philippines.

Tourism depends on more than destinations. Behind every attraction visit, hotel booking, and trip between cities is a network of businesses that helps travelers plan and experience their journeys.

That network took center stage at the Klook Partner Awards 2026, held on October 6, where Klook Philippines recognized partners across attractions and activities, accommodations, and transportation services.

Announced on October 19, the awards recognized businesses under three categories: Play, Stay, and Move. The recognition covered partners with strong guest reviews, businesses with the highest year-on-year growth, and operators identified as top sales contributors within their respective travel categories.

For the Philippine tourism sector, the awards offer a look at the range of businesses that help deliver domestic travel experiences, from established attractions and hotel groups to tour operators and transport providers.

Three categories reflect different roles in the travel industry

Klook organized the awards around three areas of the traveler journey, each representing a different segment of its partner network.

The User’s Choice Award recognized partners with consistently high guest reviews. The Rising Star Award went to operators with the highest year-on-year growth, while the Best of the Philippines category recognized top sales contributors in each travel pillar.

These distinctions reflect different measures of business performance. Guest feedback can offer insight into customer experience, growth can indicate a change in business activity, and sales contributions show commercial performance within the platform's framework. They are not interchangeable measures, but together they illustrate the different ways travel businesses can build their presence.

Play: Attractions, tours and local experiences

The Play category covers attractions, activities, tours, and experiences that help visitors explore destinations.

Awardees included:

• User’s Choice: SM Prime Holdings
• Rising Star: Island Trek Tours; Star Parks Corporation
• Best of the Philippines: Viaje Philippines; Las Islas Travel and Tours; Manila Ocean Park; Enchanted Kingdom

For this segment, digital platforms can help travelers discover activities, compare options, and arrange bookings before reaching a destination. For operators, participation can create an additional route to reach customers who are planning trips online.

The mix of awardees also illustrates the breadth of the experiences market, which can include large attractions as well as tour providers that connect visitors with local destinations.

Stay: Accommodation providers across different markets

The Stay category recognizes hospitality businesses providing accommodation for travelers.

Its awardees were:

• User’s Choice: Mandarin Nest Boracay
• Rising Star: Bayfront Hotel Cebu; The Golden Phoenix Hotel Manila
• Best of the Philippines: Bai Hotel Cebu; Canyon Hotels and Resorts; Hotel 101 Group; Hennan Group of Resorts

Accommodation remains an important part of the domestic travel ecosystem because it connects destinations with spending on lodging and related services. Hotels and resorts also operate within a competitive market where visibility, guest experience, pricing, and location can influence booking decisions.

For participating properties, online distribution channels provide another way to present their offerings to travelers researching places to stay.

Move: Connecting travelers to destinations

The Move category covers transportation and mobility services, including airport transfers, car rentals, ferry travel, and other ground and sea transport options.

Awardees included:

• User’s Choice: ATR Travel and Rent a Car Corporation
• Rising Star: Biyaheroes; 2GO Travel
• Best of the Philippines: Hertz; Islandstar Express; Southwest Tours

Transportation is a practical part of travel planning, particularly for destinations that require connections between airports, ports, hotels, attractions, and regional communities. Reliable mobility options can make itineraries easier to organize and help travelers reach experiences beyond major urban centers.

The inclusion of mobility providers underscores that the travel experience extends beyond the destination itself. Getting there, moving around, and coordinating connections are also part of the tourism value chain.

Why partner networks matter to tourism businesses

Klook Philippines General Manager Michelle Ho said the awards were intended to recognize partners helping deliver travel experiences across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. She also cited the platform's growth over the preceding 12 months despite industry challenges, attributing that performance in part to its partners.

The announcement did not provide figures for the platform's growth, total bookings, or the individual commercial performance of the awardees. Still, the recognition highlights the importance of relationships between travel platforms and the businesses that supply the experiences, accommodation, and transportation customers book.

For local operators, digital distribution may offer access to travelers who might otherwise be difficult to reach. For platforms, a broad selection of partners helps provide more options across destinations and stages of a trip.

The value of these arrangements depends on the details of each partnership, including commission structures, booking terms, customer service responsibilities, and the extent to which businesses can convert online visibility into sustainable revenue.

Awards based on reviews, growth, and sales can recognize different achievements, but they do not by themselves establish profitability or long-term business resilience.

What the awards mean for domestic travel

The Klook Partner Awards place attention on the businesses that help turn travel plans into actual experiences. Attractions draw visitors, accommodation providers give them places to stay, and transportation companies connect them with destinations.

For tourism businesses, the wider opportunity is to make these services easier to discover and book while delivering the quality and reliability travelers expect. For destinations, a connected network of operators can help create more complete travel experiences and support activity across different parts of the visitor economy.

Klook said it remains committed to investing in the Philippines and working with partners nationwide. Travelers can browse the awardees' available offers through the Klook app, subject to each partner's listings and booking terms.

As domestic travel continues to bring together hospitality, attractions, and mobility services, the performance of these businesses will remain an important part of how destinations serve visitors and participate in the wider tourism economy.

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Community-Based Tourism: Siak's Model for Local Livelihoods

Community-Based Tourism: Siak's Model for Local Livelihoods

Tourism can do more than bring visitors to a destination. When local communities help shape the experience, it can also create income for small businesses, keep cultural traditions alive, and encourage environmental protection. Siak Eco Wonders in Indonesia offers an early example of how these goals can be connected through a community-based tourism model.

SIak, Indonesia — In Siak Regency, Riau, tourism is being developed around the everyday life of the community, from traditional sampan rides along the Siak River to Malay cuisine prepared by local residents and activities that introduce visitors to local food production and environmental conservation.

The initiative, called Siak Eco Wonders, was developed by Skelas in partnership with local stakeholders. Since its launch in July 2026, it has generated approximately IDR 21 million in revenue, engaged around 10 local micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and created opportunities for vocational tourism students and community volunteers, according to information provided by the initiative.

Its early results highlight a broader question for the tourism industry: how can destinations make sure that the economic benefits of travel reach the people whose culture, skills and environment make those places worth visiting?

Community participation is at the heart of the tourism model

Siak Eco Wonders builds its visitor experiences around the Siak River, which has long played a role in local transportation and community life. Working with Benteng Berdaulat and local Tourism Awareness Groups, known as Pokdarwis, the initiative has developed traditional sampan rides that introduce visitors to the area's history and heritage.

The program extends beyond river excursions. Visitors can explore historical landmarks such as Siak Palace, Syahabuddin Mosque and Balai Kerapatan using wooden bicycles. They can also hear the komet, a rare mechanical music box described by the initiative as one of only two remaining worldwide and the only one still playable.

Other activities bring visitors closer to local livelihoods. At the Pinaloka pineapple processing center, guests can participate in nastar cookie-making. At Alam Siak Lestari, they can learn about cork fish processing and peatland conservation. Fishing experiences also allow visitors to join local fishermen as they set nets in the afternoon and return to collect fish the following morning.

These activities turn local knowledge and work into part of the visitor experience. Instead of simply observing a destination, tourists have opportunities to interact with the people who live and work there.

Local food and small businesses share in tourism spending

One of the initiative's defining features is its effort to involve local residents directly in hospitality services.

For dining experiences, residents of Benteng Hulu Village prepare traditional Malay dishes rather than having large catering providers supply every meal. Menu offerings include asam pedas patin, salais fish, tapah fish and juara tumbuk.

Visitors can also experience makan beranyut, a traditional practice of dining aboard a sampan as it moves along the Siak River.

Siak Eco Wonders offers meeting, dining and tour packages. Meeting events generally accommodate 30 to 40 guests, with an average of two bookings per month from corporate social responsibility programs and government agencies. Dining experiences can accommodate as many as 100 visitors.

The approach creates several potential points of participation for local enterprises, from food preparation and transportation to processing and tourism services. The initiative reports working with around 10 MSMEs across these sectors.

For destinations seeking to develop community-based tourism, this local participation is an important consideration. Visitor numbers alone do not show how much value remains in a community. The businesses involved, the services purchased locally and the distribution of revenue also matter.

Environmental practices are built into operations

Community-based tourism also depends on protecting the natural resources that attract visitors in the first place.

Siak Eco Wonders has introduced measures intended to reduce waste from its activities. Meeting and dining packages avoid single-use plastics, while visitors are encouraged to bring reusable tumblers or use paper cups. Food waste from dining activities is processed using maggots through a partnership with Bumkam Sejahtera, a village-owned enterprise in Mempura District.

These are practical steps rather than proof that the operation has eliminated its environmental impact. Their longer-term value will depend on consistent implementation, waste management outcomes and how the model performs as visitor numbers grow.

Still, incorporating environmental practices into daily operations helps make conservation part of the tourism product rather than a separate message delivered to guests.

Taufiq Nurrohim, business development representative of Skelas, said the goal is to demonstrate that tourism can operate without adding to the burden on the environment.

The initiative also involves the local community in delivering visitor experiences. Eight vocational students studying tourism have worked as dinner servers, while around 20 volunteers have participated in tour activities on a rotating basis since the initiative began. Seven local influencers have also been engaged to experience and share its offerings.

International visitors, including student groups from Japan and Malaysia and travelers from Singapore, have started visiting the destination, according to Skelas.

Early revenue offers a starting point, not the whole picture

Since its July launch, Siak Eco Wonders has reported approximately IDR 21 million in revenue, an average of 15 to 20 tourists per month, and around 20 to 30 bicycle renters per week.

These figures offer an initial indication of demand, but the initiative remains at an early stage. Revenue alone does not establish profitability, the amount earned by participating households or the long-term financial sustainability of the operation.

Access and affordability are also challenges. Lodging in the area averages around IDR 300,000 per night, while the journey from Pekanbaru, the capital of Riau province, takes approximately two to three hours by road. Visitors traveling from Malaysia or Singapore need a combination of sea and land transport.

For operators, these constraints make package design important. Combining transport, accommodation, food and activities could make it easier for visitors to plan a trip while giving local businesses more opportunities to participate. However, pricing must balance visitor expectations with fair compensation for the people providing the services.

Skelas plans to establish a dedicated business entity for Siak Eco Wonders, expand partnerships and develop environmentally friendly homestays using traditional Malay houses.

Those plans could help formalize operations and broaden the range of experiences available. Their success will depend on maintaining community involvement as the initiative grows.

A regional opportunity for more inclusive tourism

Siak's approach reflects a wider interest in tourism models that connect visitor spending with local economic and environmental outcomes.

In the Philippines, the Department of Tourism's Cordillera tourism village initiative similarly aims to strengthen community-based tourism enterprises, support rural livelihoods, preserve Indigenous knowledge and promote the sustainable management of cultural and natural resources. The program also provides technical guidance to participating destinations.

Traveler interest may provide another opportunity. Agoda's 2026 Sustainable Travel Survey found that 77% of surveyed Asian travelers considered sustainability important when choosing travel options. The survey also pointed to the importance of local communities and destination protection in the way travelers think about sustainable tourism.

These findings suggest potential demand for experiences that offer more than sightseeing. Yet interest in sustainable travel does not automatically translate into bookings. Destinations still need accessible transport, clear information, reliable services, fair prices and experiences that deliver on their promises.

For community-based tourism to develop sustainably, local residents also need a meaningful role in decisions about what is offered, how cultural traditions are presented and how income is shared. Cultural heritage should not become merely a product for visitors; communities must retain agency over how their traditions and resources are represented.

Moving from destination promotion to community value

Siak Eco Wonders demonstrates how a destination can bring together river tourism, cultural experiences, local food, small enterprises and environmental practices within one offering. Its reported revenue and community participation provide an early snapshot of the model, while its accessibility and pricing challenges show the work still needed.

As Skelas develops its plans, the next measure of progress will be whether the initiative can sustain demand, deepen the benefits for participating businesses and protect the cultural and natural assets on which it depends.

The broader lesson for tourism leaders is straightforward: a destination's value is not measured only by the number of people who visit. It is also measured by what visitors help sustain, the livelihoods they support and whether the community is better positioned to protect its heritage for the future.

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