With a reputation for being chaotic and corrupt, the Philippines has suffered from
something of an image problem. But despite travel advisories, the majority of the
Philippines is laidback, stable and relatively safe, and has much to offer the conferences
and incentives market.
Filipinos are very friendly and there are fantastic natural attractions, including reefs and marine life. On top of this, transport is cheap, the food is good, accommodation is plentiful and English is widely spoken.
Most tourists miss Manila in the rush to visit Bangkok, Hong Kong and Singapore.
However, a flourish of new developments and properties are planned for the Philippines’ capital.
A joint venture between Manila-based Ayala Land and Dubai-based Kingdom Hotel will see a 7,400 sqm area turned into two luxury hotels and residences in Makati, Manila’s business centre. “The plan will comprise a 300-room Fairmont Hotel, a 30-suite Raffles Hotel and 189 Rafflesbranded private residences. The total investment will reach US$153 million, making
it the single biggest hotel-related investment in the country’s history,” says Rosvi Gaetos,
deputy executive director of the Philippine Convention Visitors Corporation.
In terms of convention and exhibition facilities, Manila has much to offer. What it needs is to polish and package them into something more competitive.
The Philippines International Convention Centre (PICC) is still considered one of the
country’s prime venues for meetings because of its space and strategic location in the city.
It is the largest convention site in Metro Manila, offering a 4,000 capacity, multilevel
plenary hall, 14 meeting rooms and a press centre. At least eight other major convention
sites are located in the metropolis, including the World Trade Centre and Megatrade Hall.
NEW FACILITIES
SMX Convention Centre, the largest privately owned convention and exhibition facility in Metro Manila, will open next month at SM Central Business Park.
The US$17.5 million project will offer a four-storey convention and exhibition centre with 1,980 sqm of rentable space.
Its total exhibition area of 9,130 sqm with a nine-metre vertical clearance is divisible into four halls.
A revamp of Philippine Convention and Visitors Corporation (PCVC) is also underway after a period of inactivity in the conventions and incentives markets.
RISING POTENTIAL
After dealing with several years of negative publicity, the Philippines believes its fortunes as a meetings and incentives destination are changing for the better.
