- Wednesday, July 31, 2024
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- Wednesday, July 17, 2024
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The first Philippine Association of Convention Exhibition Organizers and Suppliers ( PACEOS ) webinar discusses the MICE Industry in the Philippines and how the stakeholders are coping up.
- Sunday, April 26, 2020
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The MICE and Tourism Industry stakeholders in the Philippines need financial aid from the government because of Covid19.
Most of the MICE and Tourism Industry players are SME companies that have limited funds and are easily affected by the current pandemic. Add to the fact that NEDA estimates that 30 million to 40 million jobs are lost because of the current situation.
The 14 Billion budget allotment for the Department of Tourism programs and projects is good news. However, tourism stakeholders hope that some of the funds will be placed as financial aid to the stakeholders and stakeholders’ staff.
Nobody saw this pandemic coming. The Philippines is one of the top 10 countries dependent on Tourism the effects are chilling. The possible financial stimulus that the Department of Tourism will infuse to the stakeholders can serve as oxygen that will resuscitate tourism companies gasping for air.
Now that the budget allotment is officially declared, the next question is will there be financial aid allotted to the stakeholders?
If there are the implementation guidelines must now be drafted and ensure the speed of distribution. The tourism industry stakeholders need this badly.
- Monday, March 23, 2020
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Corregidor
Island is just one hour and fifteen minutes trip away from Metro Manila Manila using
Sun Cruises. It’s nearness to Metro Manila is a huge advantage for Corporate
Events, Team Buildings and Specialized Conferences.
Corregidor
often called the Rock is rich in
history as it was used during Spanish, American and Japanese times as a
strategic location for trade and military purposes.
In fact,
during the American Era in the country Corregidor was turned into a battleship
that can defeat naval fleets bent on entering Manila Bay.
As a MICE
Destination Corregidor offers to all the participants focus on the corporate
event they are taking part in. It also serves as an incentive travel because of
the historical landmarks, forest, and other outdoor activities one can choose
to indulge in.
Corregidor’s
unique charm refreshes the mind and attaches the soul to important events that
make Philippines a proud and brave country. This is the X factor of Corregidor.
The small island is an open book that educates any visitor about the history of
our country.
Among the
highlights of Corregidor as an incentive travel is the experience in the
Malinta Tunnel, riding the Tramvia – an American transportation used in the
island, visiting the ruins of different barracks, different canons and
batteries, the Museum, the Eternal Flame landmark, Japanese Memorial Garden,
Japanese Tunnels and a lot more.
Nature also
provided the following to Corregidor: great view of sunset and sunrise, great
trekking areas, nice running and biking roads, bird watching and the sea shore.
In the
afternoon, some fishermen from Cavite and Bataan visit the place to sell their
fresh catch. This is one of the idyllic scenes that will make a peaceful
indelible mark in your mind.
The
Corregidor Hotel, the only hotel in the island boasts 31 rooms. The food is
good but if you are feeling the hotel food fatigue you can visit stores below
the hotel and they also cook food for you.
In addition,
the hotel boasts Spanish and American ambience. It is like riding a time
machine. I like my room here. It is a room with a view of the dock and the sea.
It is refreshing to wake-up seeing these images when you look at your window.
Again, I
highly recommend Corregidor for team buildings (by the way they have packages
for this type of activities), strategic planning, sales incentive program,
stay-in seminars.
Better yet,
you can shoot me a message and let me help you make Corregidor work for your
MICE activities.
- Tuesday, April 02, 2013
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FULL PACK - Tourism Congress Members and Stakeholders attend the event |
Last January 31, 2013 the Philippine Tourism Congress was
held gathering all members of the industry. This is the second time the tourism
congress was held. Compared last year where it is beset by problems on how to
maximize this tool, the Tourism Congress this year is full of positive reports.
In addition, the Tourism Congress is a forum where members, as far as Mindanao
region, were able to voice their concerns.
The event’s theme “Philippine Tourism Towards Global
Competitiveness and Sustainability” is very evident in the roster of speakers
and the updates presented to the congress.
The Tourism Congress was attended by Hon. Ramon Jimenez,
Sec. of the Department of Tourism, Under Secretary Daniel Corpuz, Tourism
Planning and Promotions, Under Secretary Ma. Victoria Jasmin, Tourism
Regulation, Coordination and Resource Generation, Hon. Domingo Ramon Enerio
III, COO, Tourism Promotions Board, Hon. Lorenzo Formoso, COO, Duty Free
Philippines, Hon. Mark Lapid, COO, TIEZA.
All official gave positive reports that energize the congress. One of the positive news these officials shared is the breaching of 4 Million visitors that was achieved last year. Also, another thing to rejoice is the approved infrastructure projects that will definitely impact the progress of the industry.
I also wanted to give special mention to the emphasis place by
Hon. Enerio about the emphasis on MICE Development and Promotion. However, I
wish that besides promoting the country as a MICE destination, the government
should have mentioned programs and incentives for MICE Players – I hope my ear
is just weak but I did not hear anything on this aspect.
Important topics that were discussed in the event are: Philippine
Tourism Towards Global Competitiveness by Mr. Grant Govertsen, Co-Founder and
Managing Partner, Union Gaming Research; Hospitality and Service Excellence for
Global Competitiveness by Mr. Sean Mahoney, ADB Consultant on Skills
Development Program for the Philippine Tourism Industry; Sustainable Tourism:
Striking a Balance Between the Visitor – Experience, Natural Asset Protection
and Direct Community Benefit.
The Davao delegation invitation for delegates to attend the
MICECON 2013 is also a fresh sight in the event. The invitation is simple yet
creative. Kudos, Davao and right now I know MICECON 2013 is successful because
of the very hardworking and responsible Davao team.
The event is also allowed me to reconnect to old
acquaintances and partners. Everybody is in a jovial mood. All the people I
talked with are messengers of good news. No doubt, the Tourism Industry is on
the upswing.
Right now, the country is the Darling of ASEAN. The economic
indicators and the thumbs up we are receiving from financial analysts support
this fact. But the challenge is to make this growth meaningful to our
countrymen and sustainable – this is a challenge all players must join hands to
realize.
However, for now what happened and what was accomplished
will suffice.
Again, congratulations to a very meaningful tourism congress
and let us all go back to buckle down to work.
- Monday, February 04, 2013
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After the cobwebs of the old year have gone, it is time to
get down to one of the first important events this year – MICECON 2013, SMX Convention
Centre, Lanang, Davao City.
MICECON 2013 is an event where tourism industry players
gather to discuss the newest trends. It is also an event where old
relationships are strengthened and new partnerships formed.
Some of the topics are: Imagining the Future of Travel,
The Future of Meetings Asia Pacific, Why Meetings Matter, Global
Competitiveness and the Challenge of Philippine Tourism, Keeping Associations
Healthy, Wealthy and Wise, Rise of Asian Brands, Brand Strategy on a Tight
Budget.
There are other interesting topics on the event. However,
what is great about MICECON 2013 are the speakers – majority are international
speakers and respected on their fields of expertise.
I remember the first MICECON 2010 in Subic – it is magical,
fun and full of learnings. I said to myself this event will pump-up the
industry and it does! Right now, tourism industry is healthy and growing. In fact, it is one of the sunshine industry.
The Department of Tourism and its arm the Tourism Promotions
Board is doing a superb job on this.
Besides the learning sessions, I can’t wait to see the
entertainments and games prepared by the organizers – this gives the event an
extra ooompphhh.
However, MICE as a tourism industry needs proper support and strategies - MICECON 2013 will drumbeat the need to take a closer look on this very important industry.
I can’t wait for MICECON 2013.
- Friday, January 04, 2013
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There is no doubt that local and international tourism is on the rise in the Philippines. This positive growth is driven by the low cost fares offered by airlines.
Just today on my way to Bohol I was met by a long queue in the departure entrance and an almost full lobby of NAIA 3.
This agreeable scenario will continue to rise and hopefully the infrastructure development spur it more to greater heights.
Just today on my way to Bohol I was met by a long queue in the departure entrance and an almost full lobby of NAIA 3.
This agreeable scenario will continue to rise and hopefully the infrastructure development spur it more to greater heights.
- Sunday, April 29, 2012
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