Already in a span of two days I have read news about our government’s plan in cornering a chunk of tourism market.


According to AFP, “ the government aims to double tourism revenues in six years while avoiding the mass-market route taken by some of its Southeast Asian neighbours, the country’s tourism secretary told”.

In the article, the government focus on strengthening infrastructure with emphasis on cultural , medical tourism and the beaches.

While I agree in all points enumerated in the news the came out in Business World dated July 12 (just one day after an article came out in Philippine Star on Boracay’s overdensity), I scratched my head that there is no mention of MICE as one of the key drivers in veering away from mass-market and attracting high value tourist visitors.

There are already an excess of study that MICE as an important part of tourism attracts businessmen and potential investors which spend 4 times compared to backpackers and almost always entertain the possibility of setting-up shops in the country that leads to job generation.

The growth of Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Hongkong will never be possible without MICE playing an important role. In fact, mega events like F1, ASEAN conventions and meetings are what attract high value visitors.

It is not only that MICE provides higher income they brought along with them new knowledge and technology that our country can enjoy as we push harder in realizing our dreams to be a developed nation.

Yes, promoting our beaches and taking care of it is important. Yes, creating museums and displaying artefacts and giving solid support to cultural activities will make Philippines more attractive to tourist. If we add infrastructure that provides access to our country then will surely multiply the tourism receipts that we are getting.

However, if we do not give a special attention to MICE and neglect it for the coming six years the number of meetings and visitors generated last 2008 and 2009 which are already spiralling down will only get smaller.

The English proficiency which we are so proud of will not be fully maximized because it is in MICE that this competitive advantage we can immediately harness and put into good use.

I understand that there are so many concerns in our tourism industry but in my humble opinion we must never forget MICE – it is a tourism activity that churns lasting impact.

China has set-up many convention halls that dwarf our biggest convention hall here. If this is not an indication that we must use MICE as a weapon I don’t know what else is this sector needs to do to be appreciated by our government.

An article that came out July 11 in Philippines Star and was picked-up by Yahoo News said that DOT Secretary Alberto Lim find Boracay so dense and is alarmed by the algae that grows which he attributes to hotel and many establishments sewerage system.


Asked if the government can do something about it he mentioned that there is a possibility that the government cannot halt overdevelopment in this 10.3 square kilometre paradise.

I feel sad that already the white flag is being raised by our incoming Secretary of Tourism to the difficult situation that Boracay is in. What I know is that the associations and different cause oriented groups in Boracay can be called to action, most especially if the long term view is presented to them in all honesty. I should know I have talked to two of hotel operators and one government official when I was there.

True! Boracay has become dense because the place has turned-out to be one of the best beach party places in the world. We cannot deny the fact that it has also created a lot of jobs. Some nearby provinces have benefited from Boracay in terms of providing jobs for their citizenry.

If ever Caticlan Airport development pushes thru then we can see an additional increase of people visiting to Boracay. Seeing this possible reality, the DOT headed by our new secretary must make drastic actions. Giving-up and raising the white flag is not one of them.

In the face of Boracay’s popularity and the economic benefits that it offers vis-a-vis the threat of losing the island’s beauty because of the overdevelopment I strongly suggest that a strong and firm political will must be imposed in the island.

Our country has a lot of experts to craft a creative solutions to problems that bedevil the island. If there will be no under the table transactions and self interest will be pushed at the back burner, all things are possible.

In India, the public-private initiatives have work wonders. I think this can also happen in Boracay’s case. Our government and the private entities that are involved sit down they must have as the guiding principle in threshing out solutions the operative world BALANCE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT.

Again, it is not yet time to throw in the towel. Also not yet time to suggest that tourist go somewhere else in the country. All of these mean fleeing to the root of the problem.

I strongly believe there are a lot of solutions to this current imbroglio; we just need to sit down and talk.

The celebration is slated this August 16-20, 2010 at the Universidad De Manila Auditorium.

The activity will be free and open to the public which will showcase different business topics and livelihood skills that can be readily use for earning money.

It will also have free certificate of completion to those who have completed the event.

Globalization has change the way we do business. On the other hand, internet made it possible for unknown brands to compete and corner markets around the world.

PACEOS is the national organization of the Philippines for Meetings, Incentives, Convention and Exhibition (MICE).

The 2nd Negosyo Power Expo slated this August 20-22 at Trinoma Mall will feature as one of its topics “Personal Money Management for OFWs” to be conducted by Mark So, CEO of Business Maker Academy.


The seminar is intended for OFWs and OFW families who are seeking ways to manage properly their money. The seminar is for free as part of the advocacy of the event.

The Negosyo Power Expo as an event that features business exhibit and free seminars aims to spread entrepreneurship in the country and support the trade marketing promotion of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the country.

Other surprises like free samplings, raffles and giveaways are in stored for visitors. Most importantly, seminar attendees who completed one day to three days of the seminar will have certificate of attendance.

Produced and Organized by EX-LINK Management and Marketing Services Corp. interested partners may call tel # 643-3887.

The battle cry is well written in everyone’s running shirt’s back, it will remind you each time you are about to give-up. There are 4,000 runners and on this fine day, each has reasons why they decided to participate in this great event.


I am talking about the Milo 34th National Marathon an annual event that exhibits runners and Filipino spirit of tenacity and bayanihan. This year the event is dedicated to giving shoes to less fortunate children in the provinces.

Each runner participating is equal to a pair of shoe to a child. I feel honoured that I have joined the event, that a child will have a shoes because of my participation is satisfying.

This is the reason we make this event an EXLINK event, all the members of the organization are obligated to join the event. It is an event that has a social call, and we can only say yes to this great call.

Of course, the branding of MILO in this event will go down to the deepest recesses of our hearts and minds because it is more that an event for profit. It is an exhibit of an organization that takes care and make sure that its social responsibilities are performed.

Congrats to the MILO Event Organizer! However, just one thing, I hope that the baggage counter will be orderly next year. Some of the EXLINK staff got trapped in the stampede because of this area.

Oh well, this minor improvement will not diminish the experience to be part of this event.

See you again next year!

 
 
 
 

We, at Exlink Management and Marketing Services, see a bright Meetings, Incentive Travel, Convention, Exhibition and Events (MICE) in the country.


This is the reason why we wanted to bring readers information that will kept them abreast in the MICE industry.

Already international markets are looking at holding their meetings in our country, a reason that we have to be prepared.

When there are meetings there are conventions and exhibitions, two key components in making our economy dynamic and robust.

Having figured this out, we decided to have our own blog domain so that readers and followers of events, exhibition and convention can reach as faster.

Happy trip to all of us and may the Philippines MICE light shine brighter in the coming years.

In the Tourism Industry, the excitement cannot be contained as to who will be the new DOT Secretary. Alas, P-Noy announced that the new steward of the tourism industry is none other than Sec. Alberto Lim.

From the tourism congress newsletter, it was reported that he has a 38 years of experience engaged in business, government and civil society.

He won several local and international awards under his company Ten Knots Development for environmental conservation. He was also an executive director of the Makati Business Club, a very active business organization in the country.

Many are expecting that Sec. Alberto Lim will bring his private orientation in the government institution. This mindset will definitely benefit the tourism industry.