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Davao City ideal 'bleisure' destination: tourism board

By Che Palicte

February 27, 2023, 6:19 pm

DAVAO CITY – With the scheduled hosting of the meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions conference (MICECON) in March 2023 here, the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines has described this city as an ideal “bleisure” (business and pleasure) destination.

In a statement Monday, TPB Philippines Chief Operating Officer Margarita Montemayor Nograles noted that one of the key developments in the business meetings industry is the rise of “bleisure” travel experiences.

“Davao stands as a shining example of the country’s 'bleisure' destinations with its varied cultural and entertainment offerings for business travelers. Davao is home to 11 indigenous tribes and has a rising ex-pat population from varied religious and cultural backgrounds,” she explained.

Nograles also said the city is blessed with pristine beaches, amazing dive spots, abundant flora and fauna, the freshest quality products, and delicious cuisines that tourists crave.

“It also continues to grow its capacity as a MICE destination with more venues and accommodations for conventions as well as professionals who show the Philippines’ best quality of hospitality, diversity, peace, and stability,” she added.

The MICECON 2023 is the biggest gathering of MICE professionals in the country bringing together a special mix of local and foreign delegates in the MICE industry to learn about the different global trends in business meetings, witness the beautiful sceneries of the premier city of the south, and invite them for networking opportunities with both the local and international MICE experts.

This year’s resource speakers include Liz Ortiguera, president of the Pacific Asia Travel Association president; Susan Cardenas, a Filipina global advocate for sustainability and President/CEO of the Society for Sustainable Tourism and Development; and world-renowned keynote speaker and founder of Pathwayz Group, Amber Venderburg.

“We are proud to have a strong panel of speakers for this year’s MICECON. This is our commitment to our MICE stakeholders to provide access to the best and most relevant information that will help upskill their teams and revisit our world-renowned Filipino standard of service as we cater to a new and better normal in the tourism sector,” Nograles said.

She said MICECON’s corporate social responsibility this year has tapped the Philippine Eagle Center here as the primary beneficiary.

MICECON delegates will visit the sanctuary in the hopes of raising awareness about the preservation of critically endangered species housed in the Philippine Eagle Center.

"Eco-travel elements such as community immersions, working on a nature reserve, protection areas, or engaging in conservation work have risen in recent years. In a corporate social responsibility initiative we integrate sustainability and legacy by enjoining our delegates to participate in the conservation of the Philippine Eagle”, Nograles said. (PNA)

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