Over the past decade The Philippines has enjoyed a steady increase in tourism. With an environment that is progressively becoming more conducive to business, The Philippines, and Manila in particular, are fast becoming a sought-after MICE destination in Asia too. This has caught the attention of global hotel brands wanting to be a part of the trend, resulting in an increase in properties willing to cater to the ever-growing demands of corporate guests.
Welcoming business
Philippine Tourism Secretary Alberto A. Lim says that, given the new products, exciting destinations and upgraded tourism facilities throughout the country, MICE event organisers should seriously consider putting Manila back on their map. Although still developing a reputation as a business-focused city, Manila will host the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Travel Mart in September 2012 (PTM 2012). This selection alone indicates the region’s growing confidence in the Philippines as a business-oriented country. PTM 2012 will be held in the city’s largest privately owned convention and exhibition facility, SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. The city’s leading hotels and convention centres also boast the technology and services to appeal to corporate event groups throughout the Asia-Pacific region.
New openings across the city include Resorts World Manila’s Maxim Tower, a six-star, all-suite hotel, as well as the soon-to-open Remington Hotel. The SM Bay City Arena, a multipurpose entertainment venue that is part of the SM group with a capacity of up to 18,000 people, will open in late 2012. The Fairmont Makati has 279 guestrooms, and there is Aseana Business Park, a 1,300-hectare site designed for business, tourism and entertainment facilities. Home to the world’s fourth-largest shopping mall – among other leisure facilities – Manila offers a great deal more than just MICE opportunities. One popular attraction near the SMX Convention Center is Manila Bay, famed for its sunset cruises that make for a unique post-meeting experience.
Trusted partners
Mandarin Oriental Manila – one of the city’s oldest five-star hotels in the central business district of Makati – still maintains a reputation as the premier choice for business and social functions. Accommodating parties of up to 1,000 people, Mandarin Oriental can customise any type of event with international themes and menus. The poolside area continues to be a popular venue for cocktail receptions, catering for a maximum of 150 guests. Entertainment is planned according to the theme of the event, often featuring cultural dancers in national costume as a popular request. Mandarin Oriental hotels have long been regarded for their superiority and innovation in food and beverage. Mandarin Oriental Manila provides outside catering services for parties of up to 5,000 guests, including venues such as SMX Convention Center, numerous embassies and museums.
Makati Shangri-La is home to Manila’s most spacious self-contained function room, the Rizal Ballroom. Renovated in 2009, the Rizal Ballroom can hold up to 2,100 people and is fitted with advanced technology including motorised screens and a 15,000- lumen LCD projector that can be hidden away in the high ceiling at the touch of a button, depending on the function. The smaller Quezon Ballroom, along with the five other function rooms, can be divided to suit smaller groups or double as breakout rooms, offering multimedia equipment and served by professional staff providing Shangri-La’s world-renowned service
Poolside extravanganceDusit Thani Manila combines its intricately planned MICE events with award-winning culinary treats, offering guests a unique dining experience alongside their meetings. Menus can be tailor-made using selected dishes from the hotel’s four restaurants to suit event themes. Corporate guests are increasingly attracted to the Dusit’s Crossover Brunch, where diners can taste the creations of all four restaurants in the same package. Last year, Thai Airways chose to hold their 50th anniversary celebration around the pool at Dusit Thani. Says Nivat Chantarachoti, GM of Thai Airways Switzerland: “The hotel’s poolside Thai Pavilion surrounded by water was a natural choice for an evening event for our 500 guests. Moreover, Dusit Thani Hotel Manila offers authentic Thai cuisine complemented with Thai ambiance. “It was a perfect fit as I feel that only the services of Dusit Thani Manila are synonymous with our Airline’s image and reputation. It is truly ‘Heaven on earth’.”
New offering
Maxim Tower, the newest and finest addition to Resorts World Manila, has yet to offer much in the way of MICE facilities aside from entertainment. However, that is set to change when a 2,500-seat convention centre opens in October 2012. RWM, with the five-star Marriott Hotel, six-star Maxim Tower and soon to open three-star Remington, caters to a wide range of corporate clientele, occasions and budgets.