Bohol Goes Hybrid: Regus Sets Up Shop as IWG Expands in 14 More Philippine Locations

The future of work has officially landed in Bohol.

International Workplace Group (IWG), the world’s largest provider of flexible workspace solutions, is launching its first-ever Regus center in the province this October — and it’s just the beginning of a larger national expansion.

The new Bohol location, opening in partnership with Uptown Tagbilaran Realty Corporation, will be situated in Tagbilaran City, the province’s capital and commercial hub.

This marks IWG’s debut in one of the Philippines’ fastest-growing regional economies, as it pushes toward a goal of 50 nationwide centers by the end of 2025.

IWG currently operates 39 centers across the country and plans to open at least 11 more before year’s end, with 14 additional locations already signed and either operational or scheduled to launch between late 2025 and 2026.

These new sites will span across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, reflecting soaring demand for co-working spaces and hybrid office setups outside Metro Manila.

Among the upcoming locations are high-profile developments such as Cebu Exchange Tower, The Galleon in Ortigas, Century Diamond Tower in Makati, and Mabuhay IT Park in General Santos City.

The Bohol launch underscores a growing interest among professionals and startups in emerging cities, especially those with booming tourism and tech sectors.

Tagbilaran, located just 25 minutes from Panglao Island’s international airport, is quickly becoming a hub for IT-BPM and creative industries, fueled by a talent-rich pipeline from its 25 local universities.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority shows Bohol’s economy surged by 6.6% in 2024, with services accounting for nearly three-quarters of its ₱182.4 billion GDP.

Infrastructure upgrades like the planned expansion of the Bohol-Panglao International Airport — set to accommodate up to 3.9 million passengers by 2030 — are further propelling the province’s rise as a business destination.

“We’re not just expanding for expansion’s sake — we’re answering real, growing demand,” said Rowena Bravo-Natividad, Country Manager for IWG Philippines.

Companies, she explained, are increasingly seeking high-quality and accessible workspace options in fast-growing cities beyond Metro Manila.

The Bohol center will offer co-working areas, private offices, meeting rooms, and creative zones designed to serve professionals in tourism, tech, and small business sectors.

IWG’s rapid expansion isn’t just a Philippine phenomenon.

Globally, the company signed 899 new locations and opened 624 centers in 2024 alone — a record-breaking year that saw its revenue, EBITDA, and cash generation hit new highs.

“Demand for hybrid and flexible work is not slowing down — if anything, it’s picking up,” said Marc Descrozaille, IWG’s CEO for Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific.

He noted that businesses of all sizes are embracing flexible work models for the cost savings, agility, and improved employee well-being they offer.

Research from IWG and consultancy firm Arup shows that hybrid work can improve productivity by 11% and deliver average cost savings of $11,000 per employee annually.

With 83% of Fortune 500 companies already using IWG workspaces, the company projects that 30% of global commercial real estate will be dedicated to flexible workspaces by 2030.

That market represents a $2 trillion opportunity, fueled by the world’s 1.2 billion white-collar workers.

By entering emerging Philippine markets like Bohol and General Santos, IWG isn’t just planting flags — it’s helping redefine the way the nation works.

As more professionals ditch the daily commute for platform-based, location-independent work setups, IWG is betting big that the next great office might be by the beach.