MANILA – Two of the country’s biggest travel trade events—Philippine Travel Exchange (PHITEX) and MICECONnect 2025—brought a major win for Philippine tourism after generating over ₱1 billion in confirmed sales leads, nearly double their projected target of ₱596.2 million, the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) announced Friday.
Held on September 10 in Pasay City, the events gathered 147 Philippine sellers and 114 foreign buyers from key global markets and the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) sector.
Showcasing the Philippines to the World
Over 3,000 business-to-business (B2B) meetings took place during three days of TRAVEX sessions and networking events, connecting Philippine stakeholders with international partners.
“PHITEX + MICECONnect 2025 showcased the best of the Philippines to a global audience while forging connections that translate into real opportunities for our local stakeholders,” said TPB Chief Operating Officer Maria Margarita Montemayor Nograles.
“This event reaffirms our commitment to collaboration, sustainability, and inclusivity, ensuring that tourism growth uplifts communities across the nation and contributes to the country’s economic and cultural strength,” she added.
A Destination Ready for Global Events
Delegates from top inbound tourism markets—including Australia, Canada, China, Japan, South Korea, the US, the UK, and India—praised the Philippines’ readiness to host world-class events.
“The Philippines is very MICE-ready. It has the facilities and amenities for corporate meetings and incentive travel,” said Harry Foo of EVO Communications in Singapore.
From India, Terence Cardoz of Divine Holiday Management highlighted growing cultural ties, recalling the recent meeting between President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“They’re very keen to bring Bollywood films to the Philippines. I came here to meet hoteliers and ground handlers who could help bring big Bollywood film shoots here,” he shared.
Beyond Business: Showcasing Local Beauty
To further highlight the country’s appeal, delegates joined post-event tours in Cebu, Bohol, Davao, and Clark, experiencing firsthand why the Philippines is not just a leisure destination, but also a prime venue for international meetings and events.
With billions in new business leads and global partnerships forged, PHITEX and MICECONnect 2025 not only proved the Philippines’ strength in tourism and MICE industries, but also its growing reputation as a place where business, culture, and natural beauty come together.
