The launch of Iloilo City’s MICE (meetings, incentive travels, conferences/conventions, exhibitions/events) campaign “is an exciting start of a new era in MICE tourism,” according Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat.
Puyat graced the “Meet You in Iloilo” MICE campaign launch at the Iloilo Convention Center (ICC) in Mandurriao district on Thursday, Oct. 10.
The P50-million campaign aims to market and position Iloilo as the premier MICE destination in the country.
“Iloilo has proven itself an ideal site or city for MICE growth, given the city’s seamless infrastructure, ranging from its gateways both airports and seaports to wide highways and modern business parks,” Puyat said in her speech.
The tourism chief commended the city for its successful hosting of large-scale conventions like Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in 2015 and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in 2017.
“The staging of these events would show that Iloilo City embraces global tourism standards,” Puyat said.
She noted that from 2018-2019, there were at least 66, 000 delegates who attended events in Iloilo
“What makes Iloilo City a unique MICE destination is its rich in history, heritage and culture providing enriching experiences to delegates, and adding value to their stay,” Puyat said.
She was impressed with the “state-of-the-art ICC.
“I was surprised to see it. I was expecting a box na parang covered court and I did not expect because I haven’t seen the pictures. I was expecting a box na parang covered court. I like the glass, you see the ati-atihan, it’s really word-class,” Puyat said.
She also acknowledged the effort of Senator Franklin Drilon in the development of Iloilo.
“Sen. Drilon’s Iloilo heritage and urban renewal project has restored many heritage sites and locations all over the city. We look forward to experiencing more museums, and restored structures in Iloilo City. The DOT is one with you, senator, mayor, congresswoman, in your quest to protect, restore, and preserve, the heritage sites,” she said.
“If the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) invests sa heritage and culture tourism, talagang mas gaganda ang Iloilo,” the tourism secretary added.
Drilon was also present during the event.
The Ilonggo senator said Iloilo as a MICE hub is expected to open more opportunities for Iloilo to further boost its tourism industry, drive investments and development, and create jobs.
“It will significantly contribute to the economy and in the process, improve the lives of our people.”
Drilon is confident that the campaign will succeed, saying that Iloilo has all the makings of an excellent MICE destination.
“It has a strategic and accessible location – Iloilo has major connections to domestic destinations and direct links to Singapore and Hong Kong,” he said.
He, however, pointed out the need to extend the runway of the Iloilo International Airport to accommodate bigger aircrafts from Japan, Korea, and China, and expand the terminal building to accommodate more arrivals.
“I have no doubt that, together, we will succeed in this endeavor. For we have a story to tell. And, tourism, I have learned, is how well you tell your story,” Drilon said.
The Iloilo MICE Alliance Core Group chaired by
Cleofe Albiso, general manager of Courtyard by Marriott Iloilo, also launched a MICE magazine and the official logo of the city’s MICE Campaign.IMT
