Hospitality development to move beyond Manila for its next growth spurt. Photo Credit: AdobeStock/joyt
Integrated transport, modern venues and distinctive incentive experiences were identified as priorities for strengthening the Philippines’ business-events proposition at the 9th Hospitality Philippines Conference 2026 (HPC 2026).
Held from 9–10 September at Marriott Manila, HPC 2026 brought together 484 hotel owners, operators, developers, investors, tourism officials and technology specialists to examine the industry’s next phase under the theme “What Comes After Growth: Hospitality’s Next Test in the Philippines”.
MICE business was addressed during the Travel Byte Summit in a session titled “From Meetings to Memories: Elevating the Philippine MICE Industry”. Moderated by Orlando Ballesteros, vice-president for exhibitions at the Philippine Association of Convention/ Exhibition Organizers and Suppliers, the discussion featured John Paolo Rivera, an economist at the Philippine Institute for Development Studies, and Cleofe Albiso, president of the Cebu MICE Alliance.
The speakers reportedly outlined approaches to attracting high-value corporate events, highlighting the importance of integrated transport logistics, modernised venue infrastructure and curated incentive programmes in building destination reputation.
Connectivity was examined further in a separate session involving representatives from the Department of Transportation, Aboitiz InfraCapital Airports, Clark International Airport Corporation and tourism transport operators. The discussion addressed the integration of air, maritime and land networks to improve access across the archipelago and support tourism growth beyond established gateways.
Other conference sessions explored the use of cultural and natural assets to create more authentic visitor experiences, alongside digital systems, predictive data and automated booking tools. While these discussions covered the wider hospitality and tourism sectors, the issues also intersect with how destinations package, distribute and deliver meetings and incentive programmes.
The conference discussions come as previously announced developments expand the country’s MICE capacity.
The PHP5.3 billion (US$84.2 million) SMX Convention Center Seaside Cebu is scheduled to open in November 2026 within the SM Seaside Cebu complex. Set to become the Philippines’ largest convention and exhibition venue, the facility is being positioned to compete for international events.
SM Hotels and Conventions Corporation is also scheduled to open three SMX Trade Halls during the fourth quarter of 2026 in Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija; Santo Tomas, Batangas; and Santa Rosa, Laguna, extending professionally managed event infrastructure into secondary Luzon markets.
In San Juan, Batangas, DMCI Homes is investing PHP7 billion (US$111.2 million) in Solmera Beach Park Resort. Scheduled to open in February 2027, the development will combine accommodation, recreation, dining and event facilities as the company moves into the leisure and MICE segment.
Together, these projects are widening the Philippines’ venue portfolio. The discussions at HPC 2026 highlighted the complementary capabilities – from transport and technology to incentive programming – that destinations will need to convert that new capacity into regional and international event business.