According to the Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA) 20 hotels including units of international chains of hotels will rise in the Philippines this year.

“20 hotels worth P50 billion will rise in the country this year. These include Imperial Palace Waterpark Resort, Shangri-La Resort and Spa in Boracay, New Port Marriot Hotel, Maxims Hotel in Manila and Spa in Cebu “ said PTAA vice president for inbound, John Paul Cabanza.

“Other hotels are expected to open in Cebu, Metro Manila, Bohol and Palawan for the next 3 years which has a combined capacity of 8,000 new rooms.” PTAA said.

Cabalza said that PTAA ha committed to help the government promote the country as a “MICE” destination.

MICE stands for “Meetings, incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions.” It is the newest campaign of the Department of Tourism and the Philippine Convention and Visitors Corp. which aims to position the country as a convention and exhibition hub in Asia and hopefully in the world.

“This is a Market that has to be fully developed. There is a great potential for ‘MICE’ in the Philippines especially that new hotel investments are arriving in the country this year.” Cabalza said.

“The first step that PTAA must take first is to promote ‘MICE’ domestically among the different industries in the country.” He added.

The PTAA official said that by becoming a ‘MICE’ destination, it will bring a multiplier effect on the country’s economy and will help the Philippine economy to recover and sustain the financial crisis.

“MICE is an industry by itself. It is not just about tourism as other industries will benefit from it by attracting potential investors in the Philippines.”

PTAA officials said that they aim to add Philippines as one of Asia’s top ‘MICE” destinations along with Hong Kong, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand of which earned $587 million from such activities as of last year.