Sun, sea, and powdery white sand may be the first things that grab a traveler’s attention, but Boracay also has the essentials to be the prime location for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) in the Philippines.
Hotels in the National Capital Region (NCR) are still the preferred choice for hosting events. However, recent surveys indicate a promising trend for Megaworld Hotels and Resorts (MHR), with their Boracay properties ranking as the third most popular option. Cleofe Albiso, Managing Director for MHR, says, “Our Savoy Hotel Boracay and Belmont Hotel Boracay have hosted several MICE groups starting 2023, which is a very encouraging sign for the recovery of the island.”
With the Boracay MICE business landscape gaining momentum, the tourism sector is now beyond the recovery phase and optimistic about continued growth in travel. Meetings such as pharmaceutical conventions, the ASEAN Digital Ministers Meeting, and the Prosecutors League of the Philippines Convention have all been recently held in Boracay. “After the pandemic, we are glad the domestic market patronized our island, but we are also hoping that our MICE organizers will consider Boracay as their new option for a MICE destination,” she said.
Boracay Newcoast is a perfect example of why Boracay should be the first choice when planning MICE. Aside from having a beautiful private beach, Megaworld’s integrated tourism destination on the northeast side of the island has the modern Boracay Newcoast Convention Center (BNCC) nestled within it. It has versatile function spaces that can be customized to meet an event’s needs, and with a maximum capacity of 1,000 persons for theater-type seating and 750 persons for banquet set-up, it meets the average seating requirements of medium and large-scale conventions and conferences. Fully air-conditioned, with an all-important 100% backup power supply, BNCC has reliable internet connectivity and state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment. Albiso said that in fitting out the convention center, MHR took into consideration the major requirements of events, including social banquets and large weddings— thus, BNCC’s 9-meter-high ceiling allows organizers to have more room to be creative with their designs and layouts.
The convention center is also walkable from Boracay Newcoast’s hotels— Savoy Hotel Boracay and Belmont Hotel Boracay. This also means that guests are just steps away from the township’s private white beach. Just imagine, drinks on the beach after the afternoon plenary or perhaps an early morning walk on its fine, white sand before the convention day begins.
These BNC properties, once its soon-to-launch new hotel officially opens its doors, will collectively have more than 1,500 room keys, an array of dining options to please the palates of local and international guests, and plenty of recreational activities to enjoy with family and friends. Set inside an exclusive 150-hectare property, Boracay Newcoast offers reasonably priced rooms, attentive service, and a distraction-free setting for conference goers with its own set of activities – which perfectly checks all the boxes that event planners might look for. Service is attentive. It’s far enough from White Beach to avoid distractions for conference goers but still has its own set of fun activities. Aside from the Boracay Newcoast Convention Center for large events and smaller function rooms in the hotels for executive meetings or breakout sessions, there’s a lot of potential within the property for outdoor venues that are safe and secure.
“The versatile event spaces – both indoor and outdoor – at Savoy Hotel Boracay, Belmont Hotel Boracay, and BNCC are designed to meet the needs of every occasion,” says Maia Israel, Area General Manager for Boracay Newcoast properties and president for Boracay MICE Alliance. “With personalized service, state-of-the-art technology, and a serene island setting, we ensure that your business events are as productive as they are unforgettable.”
MHR hotels handle the banquet requirements for BNCC. Their culinary teams are fully equipped to ensure that clients’ dietary requirements, with BNC taking pride in having a Halal-certification, and food preferences are met by delivering tasty meals inspired by a variety of local and international cuisines. Both hotels also excel in creating themed banquet packages fit for any type of event. Aside from the classic Luau and Filipino fiesta, their teams have planned and executed themes that run the gamut from Bohemian to Karaoke, dinners under the stars, and street eats, with package inclusions such as an exhilarating fire dance, soothing acoustic performances, or a live DJ performance.
While Boracay is primarily known for leisure travels, corporate agenda also thrives because when bliss and business come together, only the best MICE events can come from that synergy.
“With the island’s naturally stunning seascapes, enhanced infrastructure, and growing capacity for hosting large-scale conferences and exhibitions, we are seeing a significant increase in demand for corporate events and incentives. With this in mind, we are poised to become a premier and vibrant MICE destination where there’s a perfect blend of relaxation and productivity,” says Israel.
For Meetings, Incentives, Corporate, and Events inquiries at Savoy Hotel Boracay and Belmont Hotel Boracay, interested parties may contact [email protected] or [email protected], respectively.