Hotel industry in the Philippines adopts plant-based cuisine as the nation endorses plant-based food

In a significant move towards sustainability and healthier food options, several leading hotel companies in the Philippines have committed to increasing the percentage of plant-based offerings on their menus.

IHG Hotels & Resorts and Eco Hotels Philippines have pledged to achieve 30% plant-based menus across multiple properties, including restaurants, room service, and banquets, by this year itself. This ambitious target is shared by IHG, with the initiative including its six Philippine properties.

Winford Resort & Casino Manila, aiming for at least 30% plant-based menus by early 2026, has already made history as the first gaming complex in the country to commit to a plant-based target. Okada Manila, the first integrated resort in the Philippines, has pledged to reach 30% plant-based options by 2028.

Ascott Limited Philippines has set a target of at least 20% plant-based menus by 2025, with this figure rising to 30% by 2027. This makes Ascott Limited the first company in the Philippines to introduce a plant-based target.

The shift towards plant-based options is driven by a growing awareness of the environmental impact of meat production. Producing a kg of meat is linked to 50 times higher emissions and water use than vegetables. The move by these hospitality groups is set to impact thousands of daily guests and employees across their properties.

The public's demand for more plant-based options is also on the rise. In 2024, 24% of Filipino consumers were looking to reduce their meat intake, and this year, 83% are looking to increase their consumption of plant-based food.

The World Resources Institute highlights that initiatives that make more plant-based options available and accessible are one of the most effective ways for foodservice operators to promote dietary shifts. Marielle Lagulay, sustainability programme manager at the Lever Foundation, notes that the leadership from iconic properties like Okada Manila provides real inspiration for the industry.

Eco Hotels, the first homegrown hospitality group to make such a pledge in the Philippines, is leading the way in this sustainable food revolution. The acquisition of the assets of legacy vegan meat company Atlantic Natural Foods by Century Pacific Food, including the Loma Linda and Tuno brands, further supports this shift.

The shift towards plant-based options is not limited to the Philippines. Accor Group has pledged to make half its menus meat-free by 2030 for all its hotels globally. Even 11 companies in China's hotel sector, including IHG, have committed to making a significant portion of their menus plant-based.

Over 175 businesses have committed to improving their sourcing policies in light of sustainability and animal welfare since 2022 in Asia. 7-Eleven has rolled out plant-based meat and fish products in more than 2,000 stores in the Philippines, reflecting a wider trend towards plant-based eating.

As the hospitality industry in the Philippines aligns its food policies with the public's wishes for more plant-based options, it's clear that the future of dining in the country is looking greener. With 93% of Filipinos agreeing that hotels, restaurants, and retailers have a responsibility to manage the sustainability and health of their food supply chains, it's a shift that is both necessary and welcomed.

Hotel industry in the Philippines adopts plant-based cuisine as the nation endorses plant-based food