Love the Philippines

As the center of trade between East and West, the Philippines has a long history of connecting the world.

Today, the world’s second-largest archipelago remains a bustling hub at the center of Asia-Pacific, accelerating the global exchange of culture, commerce and creativity. Whether an exclusive business retreat for ten or an annual global convention for 18,000, the Philippines’ well-established meetings infrastructure provides versatile options for business events of all sizes, from big-city venues to boutique destinations.

Sustainability at the Core

The same wholeheartedness carries over into the Philippines’ commitment to preserving the rich biodiversity of its 7,641 islands. From eco-friendly practices to responsible waste management, sustainability is at the core of the country’s approach to tourism and business events.

And it’s not just the environment – the Philippines also prioritizes the well-being and empowerment of local communities, ensuring that those near MICE venues benefit from tourism activity and have opportunities for growth. Meanwhile, visitors can experience unique cultural experiences through community-based tourism: embracing sustainability as a way of life.

“We have over 7,600 islands, each with a unique story to tell. All our islands boast of our indigenous communities, right beside your business destination. So it's very easy to immerse yourself into our culture and that unique Filipino identity,” notes Nograles.

“You can quickly jump from your meeting to the beach in 15, 30 minutes. In 30 minutes, you're up the mountains. And as you go up to the mountains, you can also meet our different indigenous communities – each one raring to tell their story, to share their culture, to teach you to dance with them, eat with them.”

In this insiders’ round-up of sleepless capital Manila and the vibrant island provinces of Palawan and Cebu, discover how local culture, island warmth and matchless hospitality carry travelers effortlessly from business to leisure, and boardroom to beachside.

Manila

With a plenary hall that can seat more than 3500, an elegant reception hall, exhibit areas and various meeting rooms, PICC’s spaces are versatile enough to be transformed into almost any number of settings for any kind of event.

Since hosting the Annual Meeting of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund that same year, the Philippines has expanded its MICE sector, offering an array of meeting and convention facilities across the country.

Manila’s concentration of luxury hotels and sprawling convention centers – including SMX Manila, the country’s largest private MICE venue, with a capacity of up to 18,000 – completes Manila’s MICE offerings through additional spaces for trade shows and exhibitions.

Energizing, sprawling and unmistakably urban, Manila recently won its bid to host the Rotary International Convention in 2028, which expects to draw 25,000 Rotarians from across the world. Beyond seamless MICE venues, the vibrant capital has plenty to offer global business travelers – with cosmopolitan cuisine, great nights out and big-city entertainment topping the list.

Cebu

As the geographical center of the Philippines, Cebu is a vital hub for domestic and international travel. The newly opened Nustar Resort and Casino, a five-star integrated resort that opens to panoramic sea views, adds more than 1,000 hotel rooms to the city’s room inventory and is capable of welcoming up to 2,000 guests.

Palawan

Palawan’s boutique MICE venues are perfect for intimate, small-scale formats and by-invite-only events – minutes from crystal-clear lagoons and bays that hide ancient shipwrecks, quaint fishing villages and protected rainforests.