Aquino opens MICECON 2013

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino led national and local government officials, industry icons, and members of the global tourism sector on Thursday in opening the international conference on meetings, incentive travel, conventions and events/exhibits (MICE) at the newly opened SMX Convention Center in Davao City. Highlighting the MICE Conference (MICECON) 2013, which ran until yesterday, was the biggest gathering of MICE experts from all over the world to show the local industry the way to success in this lucrative field. Participating in the event were hundreds of local and foreign delegate, including top executives and representatives of resorts, hotels, travel and tour companies, airlines, professional congress organizers, the academe, local and national tourism government offices, and many other MICE industry suppliers.  The event was also marked by Aquino’s signing of Republic Act 10376 as part of the opening rites. RA 10376 grants tax exemptions to international carriers if their countries do the same for those of the Philippines. This new law is expected to significantly increase the number of planes of international airlines that bring tourists to the Philippines and enable the country’s tourism industry to hit its target of 10 million foreign visitor arrivals by 2016.  With the President are (from left) Sen. Franklin Drilon, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr., and Davao City Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.