The DOT and TPB held the first MICE Roadshow 2023 in four key cities in South Korea, gathering 33 private sector companies and DOT regional offices with 600 Korean travel-related agencies, MICE organizers, and other firms in finance, investments, information technology, car manufacturing, among others. Here, South Korean travel agents learn more about Western Visayas as a MICE destination.
Tourism Promotions Board Chief Operating Officer Maria Margarita M. Nograles said the Philippines is an ideal “Bleisure” destination, where tourists can combine their work-related activities and leisure travel. “The Philippines, also well known in Korea as a country with beautiful beaches and warm hospitality, has all the conditions to attract various MICE groups from Korean companies and institutions.” TPB is the marketing arm of the DOT.
Margie Munsayac, vice president for sales and marketing at Bluewater Resorts, told the BusinessMirror, “We are targeting the Incentive market. A few who I interacted with were interested in Bohol, as well Boracay, Cebu, and Manila.” Bluewater has three properties in Maribago and Sumilon in Cebu, and on Panglao Island in Bohol.
Under the DOT’s MICE Roadmap 2030, the Philippines is targetting to earn some P25 billion in revenue by 2030. It aims to position the Philippines as a leading MICE destination in Asia Pacific and the Middle East by that year.Prior to the pandemic, the Philippines welcomed close to 2 million South Korean visitors in 2019. From January to October 2, 2023, the Philippines received some 1.07 million travelers from South Korea, accounting for 26.