Eastern Visayas Sees Boom in MICE Tourism
The Department of Tourism (DOT) regional office in Eastern Visayas is witnessing a significant uptick in the region’s meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions (MICE) tourism sector. With an increasing number of organizations now capable of managing large-scale events, the area is quickly becoming a favored destination for such gatherings.
DOT Eastern Visayas regional director Karina Rosa Tiopes said there are more groups tapping the services of their office to help them organize or welcome guests of MICE events.
“Even the local governments have already noticed that recently, many groups have asked for assistance to hold MICE activities. We are confident that our stakeholders, both in the private and government sectors, are capable of hosting MICE events,” she said in an interview Monday.
“We see MICE as the number one form of tourism that will bring in more people. Through visitors’ expenditures, it generates income for our tourism businesses like restaurants and other local businesses. This is the reason why we have been encouraging our three MICE corridors to enhance their hosting facilities to attract more MICE events,” she added.
In a striking development over the past year, the region hosted 832 MICE events, drawing an impressive total of 210,487 attendees. This marks a substantial increase, quadrupling the figures from 2023, a jump attributed to improved reporting and coordination among local tourism offices.
The growth is concentrated around three main MICE corridors: Tacloban City and the adjacent town of Palo, Leyte; Baybay City and Ormoc City in the northwest of Leyte; and the cities of Catbalogan and Calbayog in Samar. These areas have been identified as strategic locations for fostering the MICE industry, offering well-equipped venues and robust logistical support to ensure the success of both national and international events.
This surge in MICE activities is not just a boon for local tourism but also boosts the regional economy by attracting a diverse array of professionals and industry leaders to Eastern Visayas, enhancing its reputation as a dynamic hub for professional gatherings.
The post The Department of Tourism (DOT) Philippines Reports Eastern Visayas as a New Hub for MICE Tourism with Over 800 Events Last Year appeared first on Travel And Tour World.
