The city of Bacolod in the Philippines will soon join Iloilo and Boracay to become a trio of business events destinations ready to attract business events to the Western Visayas.
Cristine Mansinares, Western Visayas regional director for tourism, shared that Bacolod city’s tourism stakeholders are in the process of forming its own MICE Alliance, following in the footsteps of Iloilo and recently, Boracay, with support of the Department of Tourism and the Tourism Promotions Board.
Mansinares pointed out that Bacolod, the capital city of Negros Occidental exudes a colonial vibe, and offers a host of gastronomic delights and vibrant festivals. In 2018, Bacolod successfully hosted the 2018 MICECON, the country’s largest meeting event where local and international attendees were present.
This year’s MICECON meanwhile, will be held in Boracay from November 12-16, postponed from October, to provide the island enough time to prepare for the hybrid event, shared Boracay’s MICE Alliance chair, Cleofe Albiso.
Inspired by Iloilo which formed its own MICE Alliance and Meet You in Iloilo campaign two years ago, the two other destinations are also expected to offer attractive incentives and packages to entice meeting planners and organisers while sprucing up their meetings hardware including hotels, convention centres and pre- and post-tours.
Albiso, who was also former chair of Iloilo MICE Alliance, added that these three MICE Alliances in Wester Visayas signal their readiness to host both local and international business events in the new normal.
