‘PH can grab bigger share of Mice market’

THE Philippines has the potential to grab a large share of the $52-billion Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions/Events or Mice market with hard work by the government and private stakeholders, speakers of the Mice Conference 2011 said yesterday.

Bill LaViolette, managing director of I&MI Media in France, said the Philippines can compete against other leading Mice destinations such as United States, Germany and other countries in Europe and China if it continues “being visible” in the market.

“It is a little difficult to achieve but once you get a nice piece of the market, it is something that you should continue attracting,” LaViolette said in a press conference held at the Marco Polo Plaza Cebu.

He said the incentive market is very lucrative because those in this market normally spend four times higher than a normal visitor.

LaViolette is one of the speakers of this year’s Mice Conference in Cebu. The conference opens today and will run until Aug. 13.

Stanie Soriano of the Tourism Board Promotions of the Department of Tourism (DOT) said the role of associations and corporations is commonly ignored in the drive to get a bigger share of the Mice market. She encouraged associations and corporations to bid for events.

Corbin Ball, owner of Corbin Ball Associates in the United States, said the Philippines should take advantage of the latest technology such as social networking tools in marketing products and services and in forging linkages with potential
partners.

Richard Holmes, international director of Meetings, International League Against Epilepsy/International Bureau of Epilepsy, praised the country’s warmth and hospitality as well as its eagerness in advancing tourism. He said the Philippines has the potential to attract more medical conferences.