BACOLOD City Councilor Em Ang said the city’s hosting of Meeting, Incentive, Convention, and Exhibitions Conference (Micecon) this coming August was postponed.
Ang, chairperson of the City Council committee on tourism, said it is just being put on hold pending the current investigation of the Department of Tourism (DOT) led by Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat in view of the resignations of some of the top officials of the department including Tourism Promotion Board (TPB) head Cesar Montano, who had earlier tendered his resignation.
She said the TPB is an office responsible for the preparation of the Micecon where they chose Bacolod.
“It was not scrapped or cancelled, it was only postponed until the DOT clear up all the issues that include the TPB,” she added.
TPB is tasked to formulate and implement an integrated domestic and international promotions and marketing program for Philippine tourism. The TPB is responsible for marketing and promoting the Philippines domestically and internationally as a major global tourism destination.
Micecon also refers to business events that entail a large convergence.
It is the biggest gathering of the country's influential professionals and practitioners involved in Mice.
Ang said they don’t have an exact date yet, but it will be held anytime this year.
She said at least 600 participants from the Mice industry are expected to attend such as the airlines, hotels, resorts, convention centers, event organizers and exhibit organizers.
She added the event is also expected to help boost and promote tourism in Bacolod and Negros as Micecon showcases Bacolod and nearby areas travel destinations including the province local products.