SM Hotels and Conventions Corp. (SMHCC) is building bigger convention centres in a bid to boost its international events, which currently make up only five per cent of its total business.
“We already have a secure share of local events, local associations and the usage of the current square metres of the space that we have, but we are missing the international segment,” said Walid Wafik, SMHCC’s senior vice president operations.
The Philippines currently lacks the capacity to host major international events, especially when compared to its Asian neighbours. According to Wafik, who spoke at the Cebu Business Month 2025 Tourism Forum earlier this month, even Manila, home to the country’s largest venues, falls short of the 30,000m2 minimum space required for big events.
He noted that 95 per cent of their business comes from local events, with only five per cent being international. This international segment often sees countries and exhibitors, including China, Taiwan, and Thailand, participating in large local events by setting up their own pavilions.
The SMX Center for International Trade and Exhibitions (SMXCITE), currently under construction, will combine with the existing SMX Convention Center Manila to offer over 35,000m2 of space for up to 18,000 people when SMXCITE is completed in 2027.
Cebu is set to significantly boost its event hosting capabilities next year with the opening of two new venues. SMX Cebu will surpass SMX Manila in size, while the SM Seaside Arena will be larger than the SM Mall of Asia Arena, offering a seating capacity for 16,000.
“A few years back, we forecasted that Cebu is in desperate need of large convention facilities. We didn’t want to come into the market with a small convention space because it will not accommodate what the actual demand that we see for Cebu,” Wafik emphasised.
Wafik emphasised that SMHCC is actively building global connections. “We need to go and connect with all these international associations to bring these large events into the Philippines, empowered by technology,” he stated.
He is expected to lead Vietjet on a new journey toward greener, smarter growth – fostering deeper global connectivity and delivering meaningful value to passengers and communities around the world.
Prior to joining Hyatt Regency Sydney, she held roles at L’Oréal Paris and Trippas White Group, where she developed expertise in brand strategy, trade relations, and market expansion.
