MANILA - The government's decision to allow limited social events and meetings would revitalize the pandemic-hit MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) sector, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said Friday.
Subject to implementing guidelines, the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) on Feb. 12 approved the expansion of MICE and the conduct of limited social events at accredited DOT establishments.
Under Resolution No. 99, the IATF also allowed the reopening of libraries, archives, museums, cultural centers, and limited tourist attractions such as parks, natural sites, and historical landmarks.
“With this development, we see the revitalization of the MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) sector in general community quarantine (GCQ) areas and eventually, restoring our competitive advantage in the region," Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said in a statement.
She added that social events, although on a limited scale, would "resuscitate" several DOT-accredited establishments, parks, historical landmarks, museums, and other event locations.
The tourism chief is optimistic this development would uplift businesses along the value chain and more importantly, address employment and underemployment.
Also covered in the IATF resolution are driving schools, traditional cinemas, and video- and interactive- game arcades.
The DOT said it would soon issue the implementing guidelines for the operation of MICE and social events as well as for tourist attractions in areas under GCQ.
These protocols would cover the operational capacity, the conditions for their operations, and the health and safety protocols to mitigate risks following the Department of Health's risk framework. (PNA)
