South-of-NCR leisure property seen boosted by domestic-tourism boom — Colliers

LEISURE-FOCUSED developments to the south of the National Capital Region (NCR) are becoming more viable due to strong spending by domestic travelers, Colliers Philippines said in a report.

It noted the 63.9 million domestic travelers in 2024 who needed overnight accommodation, as well as spending growth by that segment of 16.4% that year.

Nearby provinces like Batangas and Cavite are thus becoming more attractive for leisure investment, it said, noting that the two provinces ranked second and seventh respectively in the top 10 domestic destinations for overnight travelers.

In response, developers are increasingly “cornering demand outside Metro Manila” by launching leisure-oriented projects that cater to the preferences of domestic tourists.

Notable projects in the pipeline for Batangas include Landco Pacific Corp.’s Amara en Terrazas de Punta Fuego and Spinnaker at Club Laiya; DMCI Holdings, Inc.’s Solmera Coast; and SM Prime Holdings, Inc.’s Pico Terraces.

Cavite’s lineup of leisure-oriented developments include Vista Land & Lifescapes, Inc.’s Pinevale and Alpine Villas; SM Prime Holdings, Inc.’s Horizon Terraces; and Filinvest Development Corp.’s Fora Condotel. 

Colliers said that some projects saw sustained increases of between 3% to 6% in terms of price per square meter since they launched.

The growth in leisure real estate is further supported by the strong macroeconomic performance of the Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon (Calabarzon) region. Regional GDP grew 5.1% in 2025 from 4.5% a year earlier. The region accounts for 14.8% of national GDP.

Remittances from overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) also continue to drive property spending, with 21% of all deployed OFWs in 2024 originating from Calabarzon.

It said connectivity is also improving with the Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway (MCX) and the Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX) carrying between 25,000 to 45,000 vehicles daily.

Other key projects like the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) Toll Road 4 and the Nasugbu-Bauan Expressway (NBEX), due for completion in 2028, are expected to further boost the viability of Cavite and Batangas-based developments.

Colliers also noted “aggressive differentiation” by integrated communities outside of Metro Manila through township development.

Major developers are launching projects that blend residential, commercial, and leisure elements, including Megaworld Corp.’s 150-hectare (ha) Lialto and Ayala Land, Inc.’s 62-ha Arillo in Batangas; and Vista Land & Lifescapes, Inc.’s 3,500-ha Villar City and Federal Land, Inc.’s 600-ha Riverpark township project. — Juliana Chloe A. Gonzales