The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) has awarded the Philippine M.I.C.E. Conference (MICECON 2018) to the City of Bacolod.
Bacolod bagged the hosting after a bidding process that started in early this year. One of the hosting requirements is the location of the host-city to be a “leading urban tourism destination possessing state-of-the-art hospitality and meeting facilities”.
MICECON is the integration of two major Philippine MICE programs: the long-running Philippine Incentive Marketing Conference (Phil-Incentive) organized by the TPB and Meetings, Incentive Travel, Events/Exhibitions Philippines, Inc. (MITE Philippines); and the Philippine Asian MICE Forum organized by the Philippine Association of Convention/Exhibition Organizers and Suppliers (PACEOS).
It likewise aims to showcase new developments, establishments and products in the host city, increase the levels of creativity and professionalism, and further upgrade capabilities of the host city in targeting and handling the MICE market.
Approximately 600 participants are expected to attend on this event from different sectors of the industry — accommodations, airlines, tour operators as well as convention centers, event organizers and exhibit organizers, LGU and corporate representatives among others.
“This is projected to level up our city in the overall outlook that tourism is the next biggest industry in the world. So we are preparing the city for that eventuality. This is like a new discovery that can catapult our city to unprecedented heights of the tourism industry,” Mayor Leonardia said.
“We believe that Bacolod’s hosting of this event will provide a tremendous boost to the city’s growing tourism industry and support your objective of promoting the City of Smiles as a MICE destination,” COO Montano added.
As to capacity of the host-city, Bacolod’s accommodation is composed of 70 properties with a combined total of 3,208 rooms that can hold up to approximately 6,000 guests. SMX Convention Center has the facilities that can provide and accommodate up to 5,000 guests.
MICECON has provided the previous hosts the opportunity to showcase their destination to both international and local tourism stakeholders. The first MICECON was hosted by Subic in 2010, followed by Cebu in 2011, Davao in 2013, Clark in 2014, and Manila in 2015.
These destinations have exposed their staff, local industry and government officials to a total experience of learning and networking that further strengthened their capabilities as a MICE destination.
