The Philippines MICE Roadmap 2020-2030 will soon be undergoing major revisions that will cover four areas – policy and governance; infrastructure; human resources; and marketing and promotions – after taking into account the two-year disruption caused by the pandemic.
The new strategies, to be added to existing ones, are the results of the Focus Group Discussion initiated by the Department of Tourism’s (DoT) Policy Formulation and International Cooperation Division.
Among the recommendations on policy and governance include crisis-proofing of business events facilities (health, security issues, natural threats); providing incentives for suppliers of safety events requirements, importation of materials, tax breaks, and sustainability; and developing a checklist for local government units who intend to promote corporate events as a priority tourism product.
The infrastructure recommendations also included the development of other regions and cities with the help of business events, based on documents obtained by TTGmice.
The documents also mentioned the need to strengthen the country’s Internet infrastructure to support the requirements of virtual and hybrid events, and strengthen transportation connectivity.
As for human resources, the document mentioned that upskilling and retooling programmes would be beneficial, alongside the development of other skills such virtual events management, video production, online branding, online marketing and promotions, English proficiency, data collection, interpretation, ecommerce, fintech, and cybersecurity.
Meanwhile, marketing recommendations include encouraging the private sector to pursue incentive groups to help the country in its recovery; promoting local events to drive more business’; develop an inventory of business events destinations and their support services.
Verna Buensuceso, DoT officer in charge – undersecretary for tourism development and assistant secretary for product and market development, said that reformulating Philippines’ MICE Roadmap also entailed updating the targets for each of the four segments with the help of statistical data, and understanding the country’s targeted source markets.
