A archipelago of 7107 islands, the Philippines is an island nation in southeast Asia with plenty to offer the MICE market. Rich in biodiversity, the Philippines offers blue seas, white sands, majestic mountains, active volcanoes and lush rainforests, and an all-year-round tropical climate to boot. Filipino culture is largely a fusion of the indigenous traditions of the Philippines, with the Spanish and American cultures. It has also been significantly influenced by Chinese, Indonesian and Indian cultures. Despite the vivid combination of cultures, English is widely spoken, with Filipino being the national language. As the political, economic, social, educational, cultural, and recreational hub of the Philippines, the city of Manila is no stranger to hosting global conferences and events. Its latest campaign, dubbed as “Meetings Make Manila”, coordinated by the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Philippine Convention & Visitors Corporation (PCVC), seeks to showcase Manila to the rest of the world as an ideal MICE destination. Home to more than 10 million people, this metropolis has history, colour, style, charm, and the unbeatable Filipino flair and enthusiasm that puts it on the A-list of MICE destinations. The city offers a mix of attractions, modern conference facilities and first class accommodation, and acts as the gateway to many of the island resorts dotted throughout the Philippines.
Meeting ideas
The Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) was officially opened to the world in 1976, and is the largest convention site in Metro Manila, boasting a 4000-capacity, multi-level plenary hall, a reception hall that accommodates 2500 banquet-style, 14 meeting rooms, and a press centre. Also located in the Metro Manila region is the Megatrade Hall which has three multi-purpose halls that cater to events, trade shows and exhibitions. Next to the halls is the venue’s conference centre, which has two function rooms that cater to smaller functions such as meetings, seminars and cocktail functions. When combined, the two rooms can seat up to 400 theatre-style or 190 banquet-style. The Megatrade Hall also features a cinema complex, ten pin bowling centre, ice skating rink, amusement centre, and a collection of restaurants.
The nearby World Trade Center (WTC) has an exhibition hall with 8300 square metres of exhibition space, three halls that, when combined, cater for up to 7000 cocktail-style, plus pre-function lobby and mezzanine areas. There are at least six other major convention sites in the metropolis, which are complemented by a variety of first class hotels. Located in the heart of Makati, Manila’s business and financial district, The Peninsula Manila has 498 rooms and suites and12 function rooms catering for smaller celebrations to grand balls for up to 500 people in the elegant Rigodon Ballroom. With 699 guest rooms and suites, the nearby Makati Shangri-La, Manila has several meeting facilities, including the Rizal Ballroom which holds up to 2566 theatre-style. The Mandarin Oriental Manila has 448 guest rooms, several bars and restaurants, and 17 meetings rooms, including the Mandarin Ballroom which accommodates 1000 cocktail-style. Featuring 609 guest rooms, pool, sauna, gym, massage parlour, tennis, and mini golf, The Westin Philippine Plaza has a variety of meeting rooms, including the Grand Plaza Ballroom which caters for up to 1500, and a poolside/garden area which can also accommodate 1500. Unique venue, The Farm at San Benito is an integrated alternative health resort in Lipa City, Batangas. While it specialises in spa treatments, cleansing and detoxification, it also offers meeting facilities plus villa and suite-style accommodation set in private and perfectly manicured gardens.
Retail therapy
The Philippines is one of the most inexpensive shopping destinations in Asia, which is why shopping is a focus for many groups that conference in the destination. Metro Manila is described as a shopping haven, where you’ll find imported name brands from the west, as well as products handcrafted in the Philippines, from weaves, baskets, and brassware to hand-embroidered piña cloth, wood figurines, and all sorts of custom-made furniture, clothes, wedding gowns, and shoes. Big malls are located in Manila, Makati and Mandaluyong, while handicraft, antique and curio shops abound at the Ermita District in Manila.
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