By Bernie Cahiles-Magkilat At least 120 mostly big foreign branded hotels with estimated investments of P23 billion are expected to rise in different tourism places of the country in the next two to three years, indicating a rebirth in tourism in the regions. Tourism industry stalwart Samie Lim said these new accommodation facilities are expected to boost the existing stock of 78,000 hotel rooms to at least 100,000. “Big foreign brands are building big hotels in the country in partnership with the locals,” Lim, who is also chairman emeritus of the Philippine Franchising Association (PFA) told reporters at the Franchise Asia Philippines 2019 Expo. He cited some Filipino investors who are partnering big time with foreign brands to build big hotels. He said that the new hotels would be 80 percent owned by foreign. He cited European, American, Japanese and Korean brands putting up high-end hotel projects. “It is interesting there is rebirth of interest to put hotels in Baguio, Mactan in Cebu, Boracacy, Bohol and Clark,” said Lim citing the opening of more international airports in the provinces anticipating the influx of more tourists to the islands. Clark, he said, is attracting new investors in the hospitality business because it is the international gateway to central and northern Luzon. Quezon City is teeming with new hotel projects, but Laoag, he said, has been a laggard. Lim even stressed that the vibrant tourism sector will boost domestic franchising to supply the needs of the growing number of tourists. There will be more restaurants of international cuisines to be opened and other services. With that, Lim has spearheaded to professionalize the franchising sector with the establishment of the Asian Institute of Certified Franchise Executive in partnership with the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry following a permit granted by the International Franchise Association of the USA. “We need continues training of people in franchising on management, accounting, health issues and food handling,” Lim said. To become a Certified Franchise Executive, which is equivalent to an MBA, an executive must earn 3,500 points. Executives can also attend the annual international franchise conference, which will be offered twice yearly soon, organized by PFA to earn more points.