The Philippines faces a pressing need for expansive venues to capitalise on the business events industry’s robust recovery and further accelerate its growth, according to industry leaders speaking at a forum organised by the Hotel Sales and Marketing Association (HSMA).
Currently, event organisers are inundated with bookings, and available venues are rapidly filling up, Joel Pascual, Pep Tarsus’ president and former president of the Philippine Association of Convention/Exhibition Organizers and Suppliers (PACEOS), pointed out.
Pep Tarsus, now part of Informa, took just a year to exceed 2019 levels, which was the year of its highest revenue and booking.
For example, Manila currently lacks large-scale venues, but Pascual noted that an expansion of SMX Convention Center Manila, and a proposed mega exhibition and convention centre are on the cards. These developments will bolster the city’s capacity to host international business events.
Fortunately, Agnes Pacis, vice president for commercial, SM Hotels & Conventions Corp., confirmed that SMX Manila is set to double in size with an 18,000m2 expansion, by the end of 2025 or early 2026. The expansion will be two blocks away from the current SMX Manila.
There is growing speculation that the Central Bank of the Philippines (BSP) is considering developing a 120,000m2 exhibition and convention centre within the Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex. The BSP already owns the nearby Philippine International Convention Center (PICC).
A source privy to the talks told TTGmice that “discussions are still ongoing at the highest government levels”, but added that they are not sure if PICC will be involved in any way.
Aside from Metro Manila, Pascal pointed out that large-scale venues also need to be built in other parts of the Philippines. Without the necessary infrastructure in place, it is challenging for the government to promote the country as the business events powerhouse of Asia.
Rather than aggressively marketing globally, we should prioritise internal improvements first, Pascual emphasised. Attempting to promote externally while neglecting internal issues will only disappoint the market, he added.
