Pasay city: The Philippine Travel Exchange (PHITEX) and MICECONnect 2025, two prominent government-led travel trade events, have generated over PHP1 billion in confirmed sales leads, significantly surpassing their initial target of PHP596.2 million.
According to Philippines News Agency, the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) announced this achievement on Friday, underscoring the Philippines’ strong position as a leading destination for travel and world-class events.
The events, which took place on September 10 in Pasay City, brought together 147 Philippine sellers and 114 foreign buyers from key international markets and the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) sectors. The TPB highlighted that the success of these events reaffirms the country’s attractiveness for both leisure and business travelers.
This year’s PHITEX and MICECONnect 2025 featured three days of Travel Exchange (TRAVEX) business-to-business (B2B) sessions between Philippine sellers and global buyers, along with networking events. TPB Chief Operating Officer Maria Margarita Montemayor Nograles remarked in a news release, “PHITEX + MICECONnect 2025 showcased the best of the Philippines to a global audience while forging connections that translate into real opportunities for our local stakeholders.”
Nograles emphasized the commitment to collaboration, sustainability, and inclusivity, assuring that tourism growth will support communities across the nation and contribute to the country’s economic and cultural strength. Throughout the events, delegates participated in over 3,000 B2B meetings, showcasing the Philippines’ readiness for international business engagements.
The events also saw strong representation from the country’s top inbound tourism markets, including Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, Spain, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Vietnam. Harry Foo, a PHITEX buyer from EVO Communications in Singapore, commented on the Philippines’ readiness for MICE activities, noting the facilities and amenities available for corporate meetings and incentive travel.
Additionally, Terence Cardoz, a PHITEX buyer from Divine Holiday Management in India, highlighted the potential for Bollywood film shoots in the Philippines, following a productive meeting between Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Post-event tours in Cebu, Bohol, Davao, and Clark were organized to further demonstrate the Philippines’ capability to host international meetings and events.
