TARA! Campaign Brings Special Rates for Local Escapes

The word “tara” is part of every Filipino traveler’s vocabulary. This colloquial expression, meaning “come on,” “let’s go,” or “join me,” embodies the warmth, spontaneity, and shared spirit of exploration that define Filipino travel. Drawing inspiration from this simple yet powerful phrase, Megaworld Hotels & Resorts (MHR) named its newest campaign TARA! as a heartfelt call for Filipinos to travel more often, explore deeper, and reconnect with the destinations through affordable stays and value-driven travel experiences.

TARA! (Travel Away and Reignite Adventure) campaign was officially launched this July 6, 2026, at Hotel Lucky Chinatown, attended by members of the travel and lifestyle media and content creators. Following the launch is a curated Binondo Food Crawl, which is also one of the local activities offered by the hotel.

The campaign encourages more Filipinos to travel more in local destinations, particularly during the lean season, through its special room rates and offers, available across various Megaworld Hotels & Resorts across the Philippines.

Newly appointed Undersecretary Stanley Ng of the Department of Tourism graced the event and recognized MHR’s initiative and how it is deeply aligned with the department’s “Discover More to Love” campaign, which encourages Filipinos to experience more of Philippine destinations.

In a speech, he shared a common sentiment, saying, “The Philippines is perceived as an expensive country to travel,” and even Filipinos feel priced out. Mr. Ng said that this is not a communication problem but a structural one that requires structural solutions. For a long time, domestic tourism has been treated as a peak season industry. The months of July to November are not just underperforming but underleveraged by the industry, government, and even Filipino travelers. Hence, efforts by the private sector to encourage local tourism during these months are a welcome endeavor.

Similarly, Cleofe Albiso, Managing Director of Megaworld Hotels & Resorts, said, “This campaign reflects our shared belief with the Department of Tourism that domestic tourism remains one of the strongest drivers of a resilient and sustainable tourism industry.” Also: “Every local trip supports livelihoods, celebrates our culture, and creates meaningful economic opportunities for communities across the country. Through TARA!, we hope to make discovering more to love about the Philippines easier, more accessible, and ultimately more rewarding for every Filipino.”

As the Philippines’ largest hotel operator with 16 hotels and more than 9,000 room keys across Metro Manila, Batangas, Boracay, Cebu, and Iloilo, MHR offers travelers more ways to rediscover the country through TARA!.

“TARA! is not just another hotel room promotion. It is an invitation for Filipinos to rediscover the incredible destinations we already have, from the heritage streets of Manila and Iloilo to the pristine beaches of Boracay and Cebu to the cool escapes of Batangas. With thousands of room keys across our portfolio, we are creating more opportunities for travelers to explore different parts of the country while enjoying the warmth of our Sampaguita brand of service wherever they go,” Loleth So, Group Commercial Director of Megaworld Hotels & Resorts, said.

Enjoy Special Rates for Local Travels

The campaign includes special room rates during the lean season from Megaworld Hotels & Resorts in Boracay, Cebu, Iloilo, Batangas, and Manila.

The rates start at Php 3,800 and includes the following:

• Overnight stay
• Breakfast for 2 adults + 2 kids
• Destination experiences

Participating hotels feature promotional rates starting at Php 3,800, with room-only offers available at Belmont Hotel Manila, Savoy Hotel Manila, Grand Westside Hotel, Kingsford Hotel Manila, Richmonde Hotel Iloilo, Belmont Hotel Iloilo, and Mercure Mactan Cebu.

Guests looking for stays with breakfast can enjoy the same local rate at Hotel Lucky Chinatown, Chancellor Hotel Boracay, Belmont Hotel Boracay, Savoy Hotel Boracay, Richmonde Hotel Ortigas, and Savoy Hotel Mactan, while Eastwood Richmonde Hotel and Twin Lakes Hotel are available from Php 5,800.

Running from June 17 to November 29, 2026, with stays valid until November 30, 2026, guests may contact their preferred participating hotel directly or make their reservation through the property website using the promotional code TARAMHR.

More to discover with TARA!

The TARA! campaign comes at a time when domestic tourism continues to demonstrate remarkable resilience powering the country’s travel industry. According to the Department of Tourism, domestic travel generated Php 3.26 trillion in tourism spending last year, reflecting a 3 percent increase from Php 3.16 trillion in 2024.

TARA! serves as a timely reminder that there is always more to discover, more to experience, and indeed, more to love in the Philippines.