ILOILO City – With the tagline “Meet you in Iloilo”, the Department of Tourism (DOT) is launching today the Iloilo City MICE (meetings, incentive travels, conferences/conventions, exhibitions/events) campaign.
DOT Western Visayas director Helen Catalbas said the campaign aims to position Iloilo as a preferred MICE destination.
The long-term goal is to boost the local economy and increase tourist arrivals, she said.
The launching this morning will be at the Iloilo Convention Center at the Iloilo Business Park in Mandurriao district, in cooperation with the Tourism Promotions Board and MICE Alliance.
“Iloilo City as MICE destination will not only benefit the city but also neighboring provinces,” said Catalbas.
The targets of the campaign are top associations and corporations in the Philippines, travel managers and event organizers.
In line with the promotion of Iloilo as MICE destination, Catabtas called on tourism enterprises to seek accreditation with DOT.
Accreditation will ensure that only quality services are offered to clients, she said.
Gracing today’s launching are, among others, Sen. Franklin Drilon, DOT secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, DOT undersecretary Arturo Boncato Jr. and DOT assistant secretary Maria Rica Bueno.
Iloilo has both domestic and direct international flights to other major hubs in the country and abroad, thus making it an excellent MICE destination, Drilon said recently.
On the other hand, the Iloilo MICE Alliance came up with attractive incentives for convention delegates.
Events with 300 to 999 delegates will be catered to an airport reception with cultural performers and welcome banners on arrival date for bulk arrivals of the delegates at Iloilo International Airport, welcome leis to VIPs and speakers, special MICE accommodation and group tours land transport rates from Iloilo MICE Alliance members, special discounts for delegates from major malls and department stores, incentive discount from participating restaurants and convention discount for airfare.
Events with 1,000 to 1,999 delegates have additional incentive of DOT information desk set-up at the venue and provision of promotional materials/brochures during the event.
For 2,000 and above delegates, there is an added benefit of discounted rental fee of function rooms in any Iloilo MICE Alliance member.
Also supporting the Iloilo City MICE Campaign is the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority./PN
