Developers told to brace for MICE influx

CEBU, Philippines —  Property developers are encouraged to build more convention centers to catch up with the rising number of MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) events.

According to Colliers Philippines Joey Roi Bondoc, the existing convention facilities outside of Metro Manila, like Cebu are not enough to accommodate the influx of in-person events.

“Colliers recommends that developers explore the viability of bringing in more foreign brands in the country or expand Filipino homegrown brands.  Developers should also consider building more MICE facilities to capture demand brought on by the revival of more in-person events,” Bondoc said.

Meanwhile, the Department of Tourism (DOT) is working on its MICE Roadmap where it aims to position the Philippines as among the top 10 MICE destinations in the International Congress and Convention Association’s global ranking by 2030.

The roadmap also targets Mice revenues to reach P25 billion (US$454.5 million) by 2030, while Mice arrivals are projected to grow by three percent annually from 2020 to 2030.

According to Bondoc, the revival of MICE segment should provide an impetus for developers to expand their leisure presence by building new hotels and MICE facilities within and outside Metro Manila.

In July this year, Megaworld Corporation the establishment of a P1.5 billion Mactan Expo Center inside 30-hectare The Mactan Newtown township in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.

Graham M. Coates, First Vice President and Head of Megaworld Lifestyle Malls revealed that the construction of the Mactan Expo Center will commence this year 2023, and set to be completed by 2025.

The 2,500-seating capacity Mactan Expo Center will further boost Cebu's MICE tourism industry, explained Coates expressing confidence of Cebu’s potential to attract MICE ( meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions) events post pandemic.

The ground level will feature a convention hall that can accommodate up to 2,500 people for theatre-type set-up, and 1,600 people for banquet style set-up. The convention hall can also be divided into three smaller halls that can accommodate around 700 to 900 persons per hall for theatre-style, and 500 to 600 persons per hall for banquet-style layout.