Biz hotel pioneers themed packages for MICE market

CEBU, Philippines - Banking on Cebu’s potential to attract the huge Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibition  market, the Filinvest Group business hotel arm, Quest Hotel and Conference Center recently introduced themed packages for this particular market.

Quest Hotel area manager for catering services Emet Sendin said that the hotel reinvented its MICE package to reinforce Cebu’s edge as a preferred MICE destination for both local and international markets.

“If we will just retain the regular setup, we might only get regular results. Meetings are where concepts and ideas are formed and are supposed to be nurtured,” he added in an interview.

He said the new MICE package features three themes for meetings, namely, Zen, Zest and Zugbu.

The Zen package highlights a wholesome and healthy themed meeting, while Zest is an energy-packed themed break. Zugbu, on the other hand, highlights Cebuano comfort food.

He said the hotel came up with themed meetings to provide choices for its corporate clients and as a strategy to attract more clients to hold meetings or conferences at the hotel, and strengthen its positioning as conference center.

He added that Quest Hotel is enjoying upbeat MICE bookings, with five percent increase of this particular business year-on-year. Majoriy of its bookings are meetings and conferences from Cebu-based companies, and also growing corporate clients from other areas in the country, specifically Manila.

The hotel is also intensifying its marketing blitz to lure MICE bookings from overseas.

The hotel has been aggressive in selling the facility as a MICE venue by participating in travel road shows and conventions, he added.

MICE is one of the main target markets for the Philippines to improve domestic and foreign arrivals. Cebu, on the other hand, is continuously pushing to sustain its lead in the MICE market, among domestic destinations.

Last year, DOT record showed that MICE accounted for 12 percent of the Philippines' tourism revenue. (FREEMAN)