FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 13, 2026

Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines — The Department of Tourism Region 10 (DOT-10) officially recognized New Dawn Pensionne and New Dawn Hotel Plus—both operated by Grand City Hotels, Inc.—as Northern Mindanao’s first Muslim-Friendly Accommodation Establishments.

The recognition, awarded on January 13, 2026, marks a significant milestone following the hotels’ full compliance with DOT Memorandum Circular No. 2024-0003, which sets standards to ensure services and amenities that respect the needs of Muslim travelers. With this accreditation, both properties now provide specialized amenities and operational practices aligned with Islamic traditions—creating a comfortable, respectful, and welcoming environment for all guests.

The awarding ceremony was held at New Dawn Hotel Plus and was led by Marie Elaine S. Unchuan, Regional Director of DOT-10, together with Beverly Tapongot, Senior Tourism Operations Officer. The event underscored the Department’s commitment to fostering inclusivity and accessibility across the region’s tourism sector.

The Newdawn Hotel teams led by Operations Manager Chona Antimano Calam, Head Chef Felix Lerasan and HR Manager Claudilyn solis were joined by the RediHalal Team Ms Stephanie and Ms Gelai, of DOST Region X – RediHalal.

In her message, DOT-10 encouraged other accommodation establishments to adopt Muslim-friendly standards, reinforcing the vision of Northern Mindanao as a truly inclusive and welcoming destination for diverse travelers.

This recognition affirms New Dawn Pensionne and New Dawn Hotel Plus’ dedication to responsible tourism, cultural respect, and service excellence—supporting the region’s goal of inclusive growth while enhancing the travel experience for Muslim guests and families. #LoveThePhilippines #LoveNorthernMindanao #LimitlessAdventures #CagayandeOroCity

ndhotelplus@grandcityhotelscdo.com, (088) 850 1888, (088) 857 1889, 0917 500 8756, 0947 325 3969