Northstar

F or the past decade, the Philippines has seen significant growth for its MICE sector facilities. Business is thriving as more hotels and resorts are to be developed in key and emerging destinations, making the Philippines the go-to-hub in Southeast Asia. With five star properties, world-class entertainment centers, and new international airport to be built around the country, doors are now wide open for MICE planners to consider the Philippines as their next event destination. In 2017, a total of nine MICE properties opened in Manila, Palawan and Boracay. Some of the notable MICE properties in Luzon were the Grand Hyatt Manila in Bonifacio Global City and Seda Vertis North in Quezon City, both boasting 438 hotel rooms, while the Savoy Hotel Boracay New Coast in Visayas have 559 rooms. Scheduled to open in Manila in 2018 are eight MICE venues, some of which are the Mercure Manila Ermita that would have 500 hotel rooms and the Westin Manila Bayshore that would have an anticipated 600 rooms and nine function rooms; while nine venues are expected to open in 2019, two of which are SMX convention centers in Cebu and Clark. The Philippines is also set to host an array of future symposia for 2018. Lined up are the Federation of Asian Pharmaceutical Associations (FAPA) Congress 2018, Asia Pacific Coral Reef Symposium, Congress of the Asian Pacific Society of Atherosclerosis and Vascular Disease (APSAVD), World Street Food Congress 2018, Asian Seed Congress and the Asian Development Bank's (ADB) 51st Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors, among others. With all these developments and events, the Philippines is undoubtedly becoming the Southeast Asian Region's MICE destination of choice. Find out how the Tourism Promotions Board Philippines can provide services to complement your next MICE event. Visit www.tpb.gov.ph.

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