In a landmark achievement for the Philippine business sector, Hotel101 Global Holdings Corporation—a subsidiary of DoubleDragon Corporation—successfully listed on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange on June 27, 2025. Trading under the ticker symbol “HBNB,” Hotel101 becomes the first Filipino-owned company to be listed on Nasdaq, marking a significant milestone in the country’s corporate history.
The listing follows the completion of a $2.3 billion merger with JVSPAC Acquisition Corp., a U.S.-based special purpose acquisition company (SPAC). This strategic move allows Hotel101 to access U.S. capital markets, providing the necessary funding to accelerate its ambitious global expansion plans. The company celebrated this achievement by ringing the Nasdaq Opening Bell, symbolizing its readiness to compete on the international stage.
Innovative Business Model Driving Growth
Hotel101’s success is attributed to its unique “condotel” business model, which combines real estate investment with hotel management. This approach enables the company to generate revenue through the pre-sale of individual hotel units during the construction phase and from long-term recurring income derived from daily hotel operations post-completion.
The company’s standardized “Happy Rooms,” each measuring 26 square meters, offer consistent quality and amenities across all locations. This uniformity simplifies construction, maintenance, and operations, allowing for rapid scalability. Additionally, Hotel101’s proprietary app enhances customer experience by facilitating reservations, self-check-in, and dynamic pricing.
Strategic Global Expansion
With the Nasdaq listing, Hotel101 is poised to expand its footprint globally. The company has identified 25 priority countries for medium-term growth, aiming to establish a presence in 100 countries with a total of one million rooms in the long term.
Current international projects include:
- Hotel101-Niseko in Hokkaido, Japan, a 482-room property catering to the ski resort market.
- Hotel101-Madrid in Spain, a 680-room development adjacent to the new Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix Circuit, slated for completion in December 2025.
- A planned Hotel101 in Los Angeles, California, marking the company’s entry into the U.S. market.
Furthermore, Hotel101 has entered into a joint venture with Saudi Arabia’s Horizon Group to develop up to 10 hotels across the Kingdom, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 tourism initiatives.
Leadership and Vision
Hotel101’s leadership, including CEO Hannah Yulo-Luccini and DoubleDragon Chairman Edgar “Injap” Sia II, envisions the company as a disruptive force in the global hospitality industry. Their goal is to offer affordable, standardized accommodations worldwide, catering to the growing middle-class market.
“Our asset-light, technology-driven platform positions us to scale rapidly, with a goal to disrupt the hospitality industry globally,” said Yulo-Luccini. Sia added, “This is a historic moment for DoubleDragon, becoming the first-ever Filipino company with a subsidiary listed and traded on the Nasdaq.”
Hotel101’s Nasdaq debut not only elevates the company’s profile but also showcases the potential of Philippine enterprises on the global stage. It reflects the country’s growing influence in international business and could pave the way for other Filipino companies to explore global capital markets.
As Hotel101 continues its expansion, its success serves as an inspiration for other Philippine businesses aiming to make a mark internationally.
