PH: Next big M.I.C.E destination

By JACKY LYNNE A. OIGAUS, European planners eye PH for incentive travel at the 2011 IMEX

The Philippines is showing a lot of potential as the next big MICE destination

MANILA, Philippines -- Making the cue from their global clientele, American and European meeting and incentive travel planners are looking at the Philippines for their future meetings, incentive travel, conventions and events/exhibitions (MICE).

They trooped to the Philippine pavilion and met with Philippine representatives at the 2011 Incentives, Meetings and Events Expo (IMEX) held at the Sands Expo Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Constituting the planners were 11 companies engaged in organizing meetings, and 72 others involved in incentive travel who sought information on the Philippines’ top MICE destinations like Cebu, Davao, Boracay and Palawan.

“Business for tourism will continue to flourish in the months to come as a result of IMEX and the good word about the Philippines that will make the rounds of its 2000 hosted buyers of MICE requirements, including the who’s who in the international MICE market,” said Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez.

Jimenez cited Annset Holidays, a Philippine inbound tour operator, which got onsite bookings during the event, while the others obtained a number of sales and business leads. Jimenez added that initial feedback from the private sector participants revealed a great degree of success in terms of business generation and networking

“Moreover, the list of buyers gathered during IMEX will be made available to interested Philippine MICE players and destination management companies, and distributed to our tourism attaches abroad for follow-ups and interactions,” Jimenez said.

During the event, the planners inquired on the destinations’ accessibility and availability of convention centers and meeting facilities, the peace and order situation, safety of tourists and costs of hotel accommodations, domestic travel and optional tours.

Their concerns were ably answered by the Philippine delegation led by MICE and business development officer-in-charge Stanie Soriano of the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), Department of Tourism (DoT) Team North America head Corazon Jorda-Apo, marketing specialist Manny Ilagan, staff of the DoT office in Los Angeles headed by tourism attaché Mary Anne Cuevas-Lim and representatives from participating private sectors.

Following the many years of successful IMEX in Frankfurt, Germany, the organizers decided to bring the show to the globally renowned resort city, Las Vegas. IMEX America has emerged as the largest hosted buyer event in the United States with its 5,700 visitors and 2,000 exhibitors from 150 countries.

Next year’s IMEX America will again be held in the same venue, where the Philippines is expected to establish a stronger presence and ensure a truly high-impact participation to reestablish itself as a major player in the global MICE industry.