Benguet: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday promoted the newly inaugurated Mactan Expo in Lapu-Lapu City, describing it as a key development in enhancing the Philippines’ capability to host significant international gatherings, especially those associated with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
According to Philippines News Agency, during the inauguration ceremony held at The Mactan Newtown, Marcos emphasized that the state-of-the-art convention center would not only strengthen the country’s meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) industry but also present Cebu’s hospitality and cultural heritage to an international audience. The President stated, “Pinapalakas natin ang turismo sa Cebu dito sa pagbukas nitong Mactan Expo,” highlighting the role of the facility in boosting local tourism.
The President underscored the importance of the facility as the country gears up to host several regional meetings, including those related to the ASEAN Summit, which the Philippines is chairing this year. He cited Indonesia’s strategy of developing venues in emerging tourism locations as an inspiration for promoting venues outside Metro Manila.
Cebu, particularly Lapu-Lapu City, was chosen as a strategic location due to its tourism appeal and infrastructure, making it well-suited to accommodate global leaders and their delegations. The Mactan Expo, developed by Megaworld Corp., is the first stand-alone convention center designed to host large events while celebrating Cebuano culture.
Marcos praised the Mactan Expo as an example of how public-private partnerships can expedite infrastructure projects, stating, “Very early on, we recognized that there are things that government does well and there are things that the private sector does well. And to partner with the private sector, ito nga ang nagiging resulta.”
He further stressed the necessity of improving tourism infrastructure nationwide to enhance visitor experiences and increase international tourism, noting, “Alongside that, our infrastructure must continue to improve so that every visitor’s experience becomes smoother, more memorable.”
In his address, the President also expressed concerns over the country’s lagging tourism industry, noting its decline compared to regional peers. He stated, “Our tourism industry is now under a great deal of pressure dahil sa mga nangyayari. And last year, we only welcomed 6 million people.” Comparing the figures to Thailand’s annual 30 million tourists, Marcos acknowledged the significant effort needed to bolster the industry.
The comments were made following the reassignment of former Tourism chief Christina Frasco, now serving as Presidential Adviser for Sustainable and Resilient Communities.
