Cebu – One of Best Positioned MICE destinations: Philippine Tourism Secretary

After delivering his MICECON 2011 message, Philippine Tourism Secretary Alberto A. Lim (center) tours the One Cebu exhibition at the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) on August 11, 2011 together with Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia (left) and Central Visayas Tourism Regional Director Rowena Montecillo (right).

Hon. Alberto A. Lim

Secretary, Philippine Department of Tourism

MICECON 2011 Opening Address

9:00 AM, 11 August 2011 (Thursday)

Good morning and welcome to all the participants and guests of the second Philippine M.I.C.E. Conference.  I would like to thank Governor Gwendolyn Garcia of the Province of Cebu and the Cebu organizing committee headed by Mr. Hans Hauri for extending more than the usual support, and for working hand-in-hand with the D.O.T. and Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) to ensure that this conference will reap what it aims to achieve.

I would also like to congratulate our host destination, the Province of Cebu, for consistently being named as one of the top island destinations in Asia by various international publications, such as Travel + Leisure Magazine and Condé Nast.

Far from being just a leisure destination, Cebu is one of the best-positioned M.I.C.E. (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions/Events) destinations in our country, not only because of its capability to cater to the business traveler’s needs, with its improved facilities and the presence of an international airport, big hotels and convention halls of international standards, but more so because of its enthusiasm and determination to be one of the best meeting, incentive, convention/exhibition and event destinations in Asia.

It is that same Cebuano spirit and attitude towards M.I.C.E. which we hope will spread all over the country.  While some other sectors are still questioning the wisdom of investing in the M.I.C.E. industry, and wondering why Cebu is so bullish about it, we know exactly why.  That is because Cebu “gets it”.

Cebu understands that M.I.C.E. is a niche market that brings in large numbers of people that help stimulate economic activities, generating not only immediate economic revenue, but also international goodwill and positive publicity for the host destination.

M.I.C.E. is a lucrative market segment in the Philippines primarily because of our competitive advantage in terms of convenient location, a friendly English-speaking people, low cost labor, and world-class natural attractions.  Once the prime mover in convention organization in Asia our country hosted some of the biggest and most prestigious international conferences, like the IMF-World Bank conference, the APEC summit, World Tourism Conference as well as popular international events, such as the Miss Universe beauty pageant and the Manila International Film Festival.

However, tourism has undergone dramatic changes over the years.  The marketing world has become more intense as globalization brought in new technology and innovations at a very rapid pace.

Today, M.I.C.E. tourism commands a global market of around 50 million visitors, and Asia has become the most sought after location for M.I.C.E. business, especially from Europe and North America.  Hong Kong is recognized as one of the more established M.I.C.E players in Asia.  Macau is a strong M.I.C.E. competitor, while Singapore, with its huge tourism revenues coming from M.I.C.E., has a firm hold of this niche in the global marketplace.

But according to industry analysts recently, M.I.C.E. buyers are no longer looking at well-established cities, but at new and upcoming M.I.C.E. destinations in Asia.  Rising countries like Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, which are currently being marketed aggressively, are scrambling for a slice of this market.

It is for this reason that the D.O.T. is pushing to reposition the Philippines as a preferred M.I.C.E. destination once again.  We must join the race and share in the rewards of this ever growing M.I.C.E. market.  And with the private sector currently supporting a M.I.C.E. infrastructure boom in the country, the Philippines is again poised to elevate its position as a destination for large-scale events.

We are expecting at least 10,000 new hotel rooms to open in Metro Manila, Cebu, Boracay, and other destinations in the country by 2014, including those of international brands such as Radisson, Tune of Red Planet, Marco Polo, Shangri-la, and Marriot.  Investing also in hotels and other tourism-related projects include are local companies such as Robinsons land corporation, which is expanding their Gohotels.ph chain, and Sta. Lucia Land, which is constructing more malls and other tourism-related facilities.  Aside from SMX and the 15,000-seater SM Bay City Arena, the SM group is building more convention and event venues in Baguio, Cebu, Bacolod and Davao.

Complementing the increases in hotel/resort rooms, the Philippine aviation industry is also seeing renewed growth, with airline companies such as Air Asia, Tiger Airlines, and Jet Star expanding operations in the Philippines. This means more seats and increased connectivity to major cities in the Asia-Pacific Region.  The DOT is working with the Department of Transportation and Communications on identifying airports throughout the country to be upgraded.

Given the new products, increased number of rooms, upgraded convention facilities, and other related tourism infrastructure throughout the country, there is no better time for international organizers and planners of meetings, conferences, incentive travel and special events to put back the Philippines into their portfolio of M.I.C.E. destinations.  This growing private sector investment in tourism facilities and infrastructure development is in harmony with the dot’s marketing efforts, and can, in fact, sustain a new M.I.C.E. industry resurgence.

But to make our presence more extensively felt in the international M.I.C.E. community and restore the country’s foothold in the global M.I.C.E. market, there is a need for greater investment support, not only in M.I.C.E. facilities, but also in expertise to develop interesting conventions and incentive travel packages, as well as promotional campaigns unique to the philippine setting.  It is imperative that anyone responsible for building businesses, strengthening brands and creating high impact marketing programs be exposed to training and education opportunities that will keep pace with global market developments.

This is where the Philippine M.I.C.E. Conference comes in.  MICECON gives us the chance to listen to global experts who can impart valuable information that can help us develop that level of market sensitivity that could make us at least one-step ahead of the competition.

With the theme “Ishare.  Youconnect.  Wechange.”  Micecon 2011 emphasizes the need to adapt to an evolving global M.I.C.E. market and its complexities.  Through MICECON, the M.I.C.E. industry can keep abreast of industry developments and the latest in products, as well as take advantage of the opportunity to strengthen existing industry relationships, extend networks and build new partnerships.

With the addition of the M.I.C.E. mart this year, MICECON also provides us with the perfect opportunity to present, launch or create awareness about new products through one-on-one sessions with the most influential buyers around the world.

While the D.O.T. and TPB have committed to put all its efforts and a good amount of resources to effectively market our country as an exciting and multi-faceted M.I.C.E. destination, developing strategic programs and incentive schemes for M.I.C.E. organizers that will attract the M.I.C.E. market to the philippines – we need the private sector, local government units (LGUs) and other industry stakeholders to complement these efforts by helping develop good and competitive M.I.C.E. packages.

The government and the private sector must attain cohesiveness in the pursuit of that goal, and MICECON is the best place to bring us all together in having that singularity of purpose in our actions.  With the collective effort of both government and private sectors, we could be on the right track towards strengthening the M.I.C.E. industry in our country and re-establishing our rightful place as a hub of meetings and conventions in the Asia-Pacific.

Your participation in MICECON 2011 signals your partnership with the D.O.T. in its continuing efforts to optimize our great M.I.C.E. tourism potential, and ultimately, help trickle-down the benefits of tourism to our local communities all over the country.  Let us declare to the world that the Philippines is ready to re-claim its lost glory.

To all participants and guests, i hope you have a productive, meaningful and memorable m.i.c.e. conference, and an enjoyable stay in Cebu.

Thank you and mabuhay!

Filed under: Events, News, Tourism, Cebu, Central Visayas, CICC, convention, marketing, Media, MICE, MICECON, news, Philippines, Tourism

‘GT & Me’ fans win complete set of GT products

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Excited winners have begun receiving complete sets of GT Cosmetics products simply for posting their pictures in “GT & Me,” an emerging Facebook community of GT Cosmetics users, and sharing these with their friends online.

“We believe in the power of social media in attracting users from different islands in the Philippines to connect with each other and with us. Our experience showed that users eagerly share with their friends about the benefits of our products. GT & Me offers them a platform online,” said Engr. Leonora Salvane, owners of GT Cosmetics.

Click this link to GT & Me and "Like" the fan page!

“Four winners from as far as Pampanga, Batangas, and Dumaguete City have already received their prizes. They posted and shared pictures of themselves with the products,” said Victoria Lago, one of the administrators of GT & Me and social media specialist of PRworks Inc.

Lago identified the winners as Katrina Mae B. Manalastas from Porac, Pampanga; Vivien Barbara G. Abella from Dumaguete City; Marjorie B. Escamillas from Batangas; and Mae Tulabing also from Dumaguete City.

Two winners from Cebu — Bethlehem D. Dabasol of Cordova and Fe Batan Pepito of Liloan –also received their prizes, Lago said.

Three new winners will also be getting a set of GT soaps namely, Roshel Quidado Madrigal of Poblacion, Muntinlupa City; Sophia C. Salipot of Wood Estate Village, Molino, Bacoor, Cavite; and Ramil Pamorada De Guzman of Camba, Arayat, Pampanga.

For GT & Me members, ‘GT” is a celebration of true beauty of “Gandang Tunay” ug “Gwapa Tinuod.”

The GT Soap Line includes the GT Carrot Soap, all-natural whitening ingredients with carrot extracts rich in Beta Carotene helps promote younger looking skin; the GT Papaya Soap, with natural exfoliating and whitening effects from nutrients contained in the papaya extracts that also helps heal the skin making it clear and free from unwanted discolorations; the GT Bleaching Soap, enriched with alum or tawas and has natural bleaching and deordorizing effect that leaves skin looking healthy and soft while bleaching.

The GT Cream Line, meanwhile, includes the GT Bleaching Night Cream that removes dark spots and skin blemishes when applied regularly before going to bed; the GT Moisturizing Day Cream which is a combination of anti-aging, moisturizing, skin vitamins, skin whitening and SPF60 ingredients that keeps the skin protected from the sun’s harmful rays; and the GT Sunblock Whitening Cream which has SPF15 and is a moisturizer, skin protection, make-up base and whitening cream in one that evens out skin tone without clogging the pores resulting to an even and clearer complexion.

The GT Witch Hazel Extract Clarifiance is a skin cleanser and freshener which effectively removes make-up and dead skin, dark spots and other skin blemishes. It will leave skin smooth, wrinkle-free, fresh and younger looking.

To discover how to join GT & Me and win GT products, click http://facebook.com/GTcosmetics and
http://twitter.com/iLuvGTcosmetics.

Filed under: GT Cosmetics, News, Cebu, Cosmetics, Facebook, Gandang Tunay, God's Talent, Good Tidings, GT, GT & Me, Gwapa Tinuod, marketing, Mindanao, news, online promotion, Philippines, Prworks, social media, Visayas, winners

PR 101

Public relations is one subject that is largely misunderstood. It is not advertising. You are right if you believe it involves sending out press releases.  But public relations is more than writing and distributing press releases. Click this link to browse a simplified presentation about Public Relations. Feel free to comment and interact with us on this.

Our definition of Public Relations

Filed under: Views, advertising, advocacyperceptions, Crisis Management, issue management, lobbying, managing perceptions, marketing, Media, media relations, PR, public relations

Russian vodka attracts attention in Phil-Russian forum

FREE-tasting of the best Russian vodka has become an attractive sidelight for Filipinos checking out the ongoing Philippine Russian Business Forum and Exhibits (PRBFEx) at the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC).

The Russian Prestige Vodka, named “The best vodka in 2009″ in a Moscow international competition, has joined the exhibits designed to stimulate trade and investments between the Philippines and Russia. The PRBFEx is positioning the Philippines as an entry point for Russian trade and cultural relationships with countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Alexander Komolov, a consultant of the Philippine Russian Business Assembly (PRBA) and is marketing the Russian Prestige Vodka, joined the 30-strong delegation from Russia led by Vice Governor Igor Metelsky of St. Petersburg, Russian Federation and celebrated Russian sculptor Gregori Pototsky who arrived in Cebu to participate in the four-day business forum and exhibits.

Komolov is offering free-tasting of his premium vodka that won the Moscow international competition in April 29, 2009. The competition attracted more than 70 samples from Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. All contestants were tough selection during closed “blind” tastings. The samples were evaluated by professional tasters vodka distillery industry organoleptic characteristics (color, taste, aroma).

The forum, which is on its second day, has scheduled discussions for tourism, education, energy, real estate and retirement facilities, labor placement and outsourcing, and trade promotion and development. There are also trade exhibitions, architecture and art show and a photo exhibit throughout the CICC until Saturday.

Vodka came to Russia in the late 14th century. In 1386, the Genoese ambassadors brought the first aqua vitae or “the water of life” to Moscow and presented it to Grand Duke Dmitry Donskoy. According to a legend, around 1430 a monk called Isidore from Chudov Monastery inside the Moscow Kremlin made a recipe of the first Russian vodka. Having a special knowledge and distillation devices he became an author of the new type of alcoholic beverage of a new, higher quality.

This “bread wine” as it was initially known, was produced for a long time exclusively in the Grand Duchy of Moscow and in no other principality of Rus’ (this situation persisted until the era of industrial production). That’s why this beverage for a long time was associated with Moscow. Until the mid-18th century, it remained relatively low on alcohol content, not exceeding 40% by volume. It was mostly sold in taverns and was quite expensive.

By the 1860s, due to the government policy of promoting consumption of state-manufactured vodka, it became the drink of choice for many Russians. In 1863, the government monopoly on vodka production was repealed, causing prices to plummet and making vodka available even to low-income citizens. By 1911, vodka comprised 89% of all alcohol consumed in Russia.

Today, Russian Prestige has become one of the premium vodka in what is now known as the Russian Federation.

“Increased appreciation for culture and heritage that will lead to better understanding between the two nations is important to stimulating tourism, trade, and investments,” said Honorary Russian consult Armi Lopez-Garcia.Gov. Garcia, for her part, said the forum has expanded from a “simple business forum” to a “real cultural and arts exchange.”

St. Petersburg Vice Gov. Igor Metelsky, for his part, thanked the Cebu Province, its sister province, for its contribution to the forum. He said the forum was a “very good tradition” and opens up opportunities and strengthens ties between the Philippines and Russia.

Filed under: Events, News, best russian vodka, business forum, Cebu, Cebu International Convention Center, Consul Garcia, marketing, Philippines, Pototsky, Russia, russian prestige vodka, vodka

Keep cash flowing when business is generally down.

When people become stingy and start to cut down on spending because times have become difficult, should we panic as we watch our customers stop buying our products or engaging our services? Should we merely wait for the economic situation to brighten while our cash flow dries up?

No, we are not panicking. No, we are not merely waiting at the sidelines. We are tightening our belts in our struggle to keep costs lower. Many even decided to also cut down on their communication and publicity efforts.

Are we doing the right thing?

In a noisy marketplace, is it wise to lower your volume or just stop telling people you are there? How will your consumers, customers, or clients find you? When your competitors are coming in noisy and loud attracting the people who once enjoy your products or services, should you give up the publicity battle and just hope that they will miss you and return eventually?

When sales go down, more competitors eye your consumers, and cash flow begins drying up, one of the best things you can do to kill the business is stop investing on publicity. You will sever your business lifeline and future hope of potential growth.

Robert Kiyosaki, in his book Rich Dad’s “Guide to Investing,” believes spending on communication is not an expense. It is an investment to ensure increasing cash flow. “The better at communicating you are, and the more people you communicate to, the better your cash flow will be … The world is filled with fabulous products, but the money goes to the best communicators.”

The following passage from Kiyosaki’s book is particularly specific:

” ‘Cash flow flowing into your business is in direct proportion to communications going out.” Whenever I find a business that is struggling, it is often a reflection of poor communications going out, not enough communications going out, or both. In general, I find a six week cycle between communication and cash flow. Stop communicating today and in six weeks you will see an impact on your cash flow.”

For PRworks, which is in the business of helping clients in their communication needs, we recognize this reality time and again in our own efforts to communicate our presence and services as well as that of our clients.

GT Cosmetics, a Cebu-based business engaged in producing beauty soap products lines for example, grew by leaps and bounds when people began to read about the product and the company in newspapers, see models on television extolling its virtues, or interact with bloggers who tried and liked the GT products.

This happened after PRworks devised an integrated and strategic public relations campaign in key Visayas and Mindanao urban centers along with Metro Manila.

Today, satisfied users of GT Cosmetics products are growing in numbers in other key cities in central and southern Philippines, and even in Metro Manila. The market share of GT Cosmetics has grown tremendously in two years despite the huge marketing noise of giant competitors which are based in Metro Manila.

Remember, before we delight our consumers with our products or clients with our services so they will come back and even talk about our products and services to their friends and colleagues, we need to publicize our existence and what we have to offer. This should keep our cash flow not only flowing, but more important, also growing.

Filed under: Case Studies, Views, business downturn, cash flow, Cebu, GT Cosmetics, marketing, Mindanao, Philippines, public relations, publicity, Visayas