Cebu in the Philippines increasingly capitalizes on MICE activities. During the ASEAN Tourism Forum, delegates could effectively have a glimpse of the latest MICE facilities available. Such as the Mactan Expo Center, Cebu newest exhibition facility in Mactan. It opened just on time to host TRAVEX, the tourism exhibition linked to the ASEAN Tourism Forum.
For its developer, real estate company Megaworld, MICE represents a new business segment. The MEC new US$25.4 million stand-alone convention center is located inside its 30-hectare The Mactan Newtown township. The main ground-floor hall can accommodate up to 2,500 guests and is completed by meeting rooms and VIP rooms. It is next to two new properties, the Savoy Hotel Mactan and Mercure Mactan Cebu (previously Belmont Mactan).
These facilities are actually mentioned in Cebu first dedicated MICE guidebook, which was presented during the ATF2026. The guide book provides for professionals a comprehensive list of venues, hotels (over 20,000 rooms) and a mix of entertainment, retail and dining options providing a diversity of options for delegates.
SMX to open the country’s largest convention hall
Situated along Cebu’s South Coastal Road next to NUSTAR Resort and Casino and SM Seaside City Cebu mall, the US$56 million project by SM Hotels and Conventions Corporation (SMHCC) will feature more than 21,000 square meters of event spaces, establishing a new standard for MICE not only in Cebu but also in the entire Philippines. The venue will be able to accommodate up to 18,000 participants.
The convention center is linked by express way to the international airport. The facility is completed by two future hotels, the 300-room Park Inn hotel and the 200-room Radisson Hotel as well as the 16,000-seat SM Seaside Arena.
“Cebu has always been one of the most sought-after destinations for events, and we’re proud to bring SMX’s trusted level of service to this vibrant market,” said Walid Wafik, Senior Vice President of Operations at SMHCC. “This project reflects over two decades of experience in hosting high-impact, professionally managed events.”
