Different Types of Business Travels Included in MICE Package

With travels now becoming easier, it's no wonder why see lots of people visiting foreign places and entrepreneurs expanding their business reach to other countries.

Industries like the hotel services have come up with unique packages to cater this influx, thus, arriving at packages such as the MICEbusiness travel offers. This type of deal is targeted to business owners who want to send delegates or members of their company to some business-related trip. The purpose and inclusions of the trip can differ, but the following are the most popular types of travels usually availed by MICE clients.

Conference Travel

This is often attended by a huge number of participants and is not only exclusive to one company or organization. Events that seek to gather representatives from different sectors belong to this category. Government-facilitated events may also mandate companies to send representatives to attend a conference meant to introduce new policies for business owners.

Incentive Travel

This one is more like a reward type of travel given by the company to select employees who display exemplary performance at work. The coverage of the travel will vary depending on the package availed by the owner. Most, if not at all times, it covers the hotel accommodation of the guest and an itinerary of places that they can visit to relax and explore. Food for main meals is covered too.

Most luxury hotels offer free transportation or bus for the clients so companies who want to send a group to a vacation wouldn't have to find individual mode of transport themselves.

Global Events

This has something to do with huge events usually participated by big names in the industry. Company owners, investors, political personnel and even state leaders comprise these gatherings. It's commonly an exclusive event with specific guest list. The event can last for a couple of days depending on the objective.

Exhibition Travels

Last but not the least are exhibits. This include exhibitions on new product releases, inventions, academic proposals and anything that select individuals would like to present to the public. Normally, representatives from different sectors will be invited to present their product or research in a designated area. Sometimes, organizers may bring the participants to various locations to view the full display.

There are various types of business travels and they can be done individually or by groups. The objective can also vary depending on the type of travel the participants are sent to. Regardless of the purpose, MICE packages often have synonymous content focusing on accommodation, food and travel destinations.

There aren't any specific rules on when companies could send their workers to a paid trip. It can happen anytime and even a couple of times depending on the event. If you're assigned to organize a MICE tour for your staff, it's important to make the arrangements ahead of time. The following salient factors must be a part of your to-do list:

• date & duration of the planned travel
• target city
• budget
• number of people to send
• purpose of the event

Keep in mind that while there are many hotels that offer MICE packages, there are more people who need the service all-year round. If you want to make a reservation to the best companies, better call in advance to secure a slot. There is a good chance that other entities might have already reserved a slot on your desired date.

Also, take some time to look at few opportunities for discount. With the tough competition in the market, more hotels are offering discounts for select customers either on a first-come-first-served basis, subscriptions, draws and more. Get the details of the planned business travel and make a reservation in advance!

5 Tips in Scouting for Quality MICE Hotel

Big gatherings and conventions have now become rampant especially with more companies and organizations expanding their reach across different countries. The frequency of these get together activities along with their varied purposes is the very reason why hotel industries have expanded their service to providing quality venue where these events could be conducted.

At present we call them MICE Hotel as reference to any accommodation services that cater to big gatherings either by corporate personalities or the public. For those who are assigned to find the right location, getting the basic know-how on where to start will be an advantage. Below are five helpful tips.

Look into the facilities and exclusivity of the location.

MICE, unlike other types of gathering, almost always involve formal presentation of data, report, audio-video output and more. All of these things will need the aid of equipment capable of projecting the information to a large group of participants. When choosing for the right one, make sure to at least have an ocular inspection on the area and test the equipment in place.

Narrow your list to the most accessible ones.

We are putting emphasis on the accessibility as this can usually dictate the convenience experienced by the guests. It is always an advantage to choose a place that is easily recognizable, something which can be accessed through usual modes of transportation (public and private) and is popular among the locals. This will eliminate the hassles involved on guests who plan to go to the location using their own vehicle.

Read or ask for reviews and testimonials.

It wouldn’t hurt to once in a while check reviews and actual client testimonials online. There are already review sites meant to spur discussion about products and services and this should at least give you an idea of the reputation of the company. Testimonials are subjective and it can differ from one person to another. But there is some truth to what a group of clients say about a particular service. You should at least be cautious to those accommodation sites who receive a lot of negative comments.

Find a place that fits your budget.

It goes without saying that high-end luxury hotels are likely to have more expensive packages than the typical hotels. However, this could mean that they have better services too. When finalizing your list, be sure to have a look at your budget for the event. Remember that the area is just one of the factors you’ll need to pay. There are extra necessities like food and transportation especially if the hotel does not cover the service.

Get the list of package inclusions for each prospect location.

The package content can greatly affect the pricing, which is exactly why you must get a full list of it beforehand. One service may have a more affordable offer, but this could mean lesser package content. If you wish to have all areas covered, better go for those that already has everything you need. Of course, expect higher price range too.

You now have a lot of options in terms of where you want to hold a big event. Your role is to evaluate which of the potential ones could serve you best. Keep in mind that the best places are likely to be unavailable on most dates given the number of people who want to use them. To ensure that you get a slot for your event be sure to hit them up with a call and reserve a slot.

If you’re torn between more than two options, you may create a list of advantages each place has to offer. From there, you can easily evaluate which is the best choice.

Date Ideas: Where to Take Your Date This Valentine's Day 2017?

Let us all face it, Valentine's Day is that one day of the year that is marketed towards couples. While it is true that it is also that one day you can show different types of love from familial, friendly to amorous, it is also that day most boyfriends spend days or even weeks agonizing over. After all, most of them would like to regale their lovers to a unique and memorable date—one that might even top the date they planned for them in the year prior. Most dates consist of a visit to one of Manila's shopping malls, a dinner and then finishing up with a movie. But if those sound cliched, then maybe the date ideas below will be more to your liking:

1.) 21st Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta

Your actual date does not have to fall on the fourteenth. If you are running on a busy schedule, why not plan a weekend trip to Pampanga and see the myriad of hot air balloons taking flight on their Philippine Hot Air Balloon Festival. This event is held the weekend prior to Valentine's day running from February 9-12, 2017. Apart from enjoying the colorful event, you and your date can enjoy aerobatic exhibitions, skydiving, paragliding and other aerial and aviation relevant activities. Take lots of photos to commemorate the event and fill your social media feed and enjoy a weekend date that is unique and memorable.

2.) Spiral Sofitel Manila

If you and your date share an enthusiasm for food, indulge on the fourteenth and fill your night with romance, spice, and everything nice. Spiral 21's dining options feature culinary delights from all over the world that would surely satiate you and your date's taste for a gastronomic adventure. Spiral 21 promises to kick your dining experience up a notch by adding new and enhanced flavors to your meal which features, vanilla, saffron, ras el hanout cinnamon, cayenne pepper, star anise, pink pepper, etc. Finish up your meal with an elegant and decadent selection of desserts from Spiral's Chocalterie and Creamery.

3.) Makati Shangri-la

Upgrade your dinner experience on Valentine's Day by dining in a restaurant with a Michelin star. Have an exclusive dinner in Makati's Shangri-La and enjoy and unique meal specially made by Michelin two-starred chef Michel Portos. On Valentine's Day, this esteemed chef is welcome to Shangri-la's Sage Bespoke Grill for a night of excellent dining and delights.

4.) Philippine Pyromusical Fireworks

If you and your lover have the kind of love that lights up the sky, then why not see fireworks? Literally.  Staged by the world's leading pyrotechnic experts, this event promises to paint the sky with a never-before-seen spectacle of lights and colors you and your date are sure to enjoy. The vibrant and colorful background will surely make a fetching backdrop for your photos of your date.

5.) Vask Tapas Room

Are you and your date looking for a dinner menu that is made in honor of the occasion? Then look no further than VASK Tapas Room as they will be featuring a special set menu comprised of nine dishes—many of which are new. Although the set menu may be a bit pricey (Php4900+ per head), it would all be worth it once you sink your teeth into an array of delectable delights that are made with classic Valentine's Day elements. Additionally, the main course is something to look forward to as particular attention is given to the braised prime ribs with mashed potato, basil and asparagus they will be serving. Guests will not only be coming home with an empty stomach, but they would each get to take home a surprise given by the restaurant. A souvenir to commemorate your Valentine's night spent at the restaurant.

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The Booming Relationship of Social Media and MICE Industry

Aside from the ease in communication, social media has undeniably contributed a lot to the wide promotion of services relevant the hotel and accommodation industry.

Over the years, companies from all around the world have benefited a lot from social media not just in advertising their goods but also in coordinating with other companies whom they want to work with for a particular project.

The ease in promotion is also one reason why MICE marketing is such in a boom. MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conference, Events/Exhibitions) has started to become mainstream ever since companies, organizations and even government departments started to hold events that invite a lot of people in hopes of gathering them in one place.

In response to the growing need of huge space and complete convention facilities, luxury hotels like Solaire have started to make their huge spaces available for big gatherings.

Social media's impact on MICE

Before, host companies or organization settle on areas around the locality to conduct their event. Now, the options have breached geographic boundaries. We now see employees from abroad being sent by their employers to different countries either to attend international talks or enjoy a company-paid tour as an incentive for their hard work.

This will not be possible in the absence of information about a specific destination. With social media, companies find it easier to contact a hotel, or any local accommodation to house their delegates. Videos , images and testimonials from people have also made it easier for companies to weigh which specific place in a prospect location is a better and best-value pick.

Likewise, companies who offer MICE packages use social media as means to study their market and create campaigns or ads that would resonate to their audience on a specific social media platform.

With more features being added to various SM sites, its relationship with MICE services has already become mutual.

Visuals on Social Media

Creating text content like blogs, press releases and newsletters has remained an efficient method in marketing. But with the global usage of social media as well as the growing interests of people on visuals rather than plain text, it's safe to say that marketing MICE packages or events will do better if the campaigns used in promotion is packed with quality images.

The best marketing strategy for MICE are often composed of photos of the following:

• Interior view of the venue
• Actual footage of a past MICE convention
• Collage of package inclusions
• Photos of event participants enjoying their tour

And so much more.

Digital marketers can no longer argue the importance of social media for the visibility of their service to their main clients. Unless one utilizes the available platforms well, it will be difficult to get the message across the right people

Social Media and the MICE Industry Five years from now

The advancements in various SM platforms have undeniably taken a fast leap for the past few years. New features are being added to address the needs of the users. For digital marketers, especially those involved in promoting MICE events, the need to be constantly updated with the innovation is necessary to ensure the optimal usage of the platforms.

Five years from now, we may see a drastic increase in a video-focused promotional strategy on different social media sites. The ability to contact and make reservations may also be done directly from the SM platform of a client's choice. Of course, this decision will ultimately be decided by the companies who run MICE packages. But for leading names who are intent on providing world-class MICE services, appropriate and optimum usage of various SM sites is imperative.

The MICE industry is seen to become an even bigger business in the future. With more companies expanding their international reach and organizations eyeing for overseas exposure, the business will most likely see lots of advancements in terms of customer services and overall package inclusion.

Stunning Wedding Venues in the Philippines

“Planning the wedding is a trial run for your future marriage. The things you battle about now are clues to where you are going to have trouble in the future.” –Tina B. Tessina


Although heavily clichéd, many couples would choose to tie the knot or get engaged in February, the well-known love month. However, while that may be true, most couples would only have the date locked down, but as to where they actually want to, they want to say their respective “I do’s,” they would be left a little lost. After all, in a country of 7,107 islands, you would be hard-pressed to select only one wedding venue.

Indeed, there are a lot of wedding venues in the Philippines and to choose one; you just need to know what it is you are exactly looking for. If you are looking for the best venues that would make the perfect backdrops as soon as you and your spouse say your vows and have your guests take tons of Instagram-worthy photos, here is a brief list of the Philippine cities with the best wedding destinations.

1.) Boracay 

Couples are quick to dismiss Boracay as a wedding venue owing to the fact that it has been relentlessly overdone by couples year after year. Apart from that, Boracay no longer holds that subtle and serene charm that would make for a picturesque wedding site. But do not let this deter you, the island of Boracay is still more than your raucous night-outs and beach frenzies. Though heavily commercialized, this island still retains its glamour and sophistication. The long white stretch of sand that sparkles in the sun would make the perfect makeshift aisle as you make your wedding march.

2.) Cebu

If you want more wedding venue choices, Cebu is your best bet. You can have a grand and traditional wedding in one of their churches and opt to hold the reception in one of their fancier five-star hotels, or you can choose to have a beach wedding in any of Cebu’s resorts or on an island in proximity such as Bantayan. Cebu has a lot of great hotels which couples can choose from which is precisely the reason why it is considered one of the best cities to get married in the country.

3.) Batangas 

A couple of hours away from Metro Manila depending on traffic, Batangas seems like an ideal location for a wedding for couples residing in the capital. Holding a wedding here would mean fewer complications and hassles in the planning without compromising an idyllic scenery as Batangas has its share of gorgeous churches with beautiful architectural designs. Beach lovers can also have their wedding here as Batangas is the prime destination for Manila residents who wish to visit the beach without booking a plane ticket. Their beaches have the usual Philippine staple of white powdery sand complemented with a majestic view of the verdant and lush environment.

4.) Tagaytay 

There is no other place in the Philippines more romantic than Tagaytay. The cool breeze all year round (even during the summer) complemented by the picturesque views and majestic landscapes would indeed make it the perfect place to fall in love or get married. Your big day can be spent with a dreamy ambiance in a place overlooking the Taal Lake as well as a grand view of the Taal Volcano. As Tagaytay is only a couple of hours away from the Metro, your guests and visitors would not have a difficult time in arriving, and the likelihood of their tardiness would be significantly diminished.

5.) Intramuros 

If you are looking for something a little classic with an offbeat theme, then you should tie the knot in Intramuros. Known for attracting couples with a penchant for places with history and cobblestone paths, Intramuros is known for being the wedding venue that gives you a blast from the past.  Although the place might have its fair share of history and may be a bit old, it has not lost its original charm and still has that air of grand sophistication to it.

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Types of Gathering Featured during MICE Meetings

Gathering the members of a certain company, organization or government is crucial in any strategic planning. This is why department heads and event organizers find quality venues where participants could discuss and engage into a productive discourse pertaining to specific areas of concern.

Huge gatherings like a MICE meeting often comes in different forms and differ in the number of attendees but they are usually exclusive and have a definite guest list who are expected to present something to the group.

Here is a short list of the most common gatherings that can be categorized under MICE meetings:

Management meetings

Companies who have different branches on different places will need to meet the managers in each branch once in a while. This would allow company owners to get an idea as to the status of their corporate performance from each branch. All issues that affect their operation will be addressed in this gathering.

Training Seminars

This covers those workshops conducted by companies to help their employees develop their competence at work. Select speakers working for the company or someone outside will be invited to facilitate the seminar. This usually lasts for two to three days but can go as long as a week depending on the type of training.

Client, supplier, or business partner meetings

Businesses who wish to expand their operation or those who plan to renew their partnership with other ventures go for regular meetings to get a detailed status report of their projects. More often than not, these types of get together happen at some secure and private setup to maintain the confidentiality of the matters they discuss. The more people involved in the discussion, the bigger would be the needed space.

Product launches

Prior to the launching of new product lines, it's imperative for companies to meet with the key personnel involved in the production and tackle the necessary aspects relevant to the launch. Issues, expected outcomes and challenges will be included in the planning. Given that it’s a plan, many ventures do the discussion in a private location. Most of which happen on conference halls in hotels and company headquarters.

Strategic meetings

These types of meetings are not only limited to private ventures but also to government and non-government organizations. Even educational institutions can sometimes make use of strategic planning to discuss upcoming events or projects that they are expected to take part. A number of these types of meeting is participated by groups and will therefore need to be conducted in a location complete with facilities for discussion and report presentation.

Retreats

Last but not the least are the retreats. These gatherings cover those that are conducted by companies to get their employees involved in out-of-work activities. It can include inspirational talks, team building activities and those that seek to invigorate the members of the company or group.

Meetings are vital since they help shape the outcome of a project. It also seeks to gather ideas from the members in order to create the best plan. But like any activity, not all meetings can be conducted on casual dining locations or even at home. Events that seek to gather different sectors, group leaders and the like will need a good location where the planning and the like can be conducted.

At present, there are lots of good options involving private conference halls, luxury hotel convention rooms and even school AVRs that could cater to these types of events. If you’re planning to host one, make sure to reserve the venue ahead of time. More importantly, if you are eyeing to have a room reserved at a popular event location, take time to coordinate with the reservation staff to see if there are available rooms for your desired date. There is a good chance that there are others who have already secured a spot. Might as well reserve yours.

The Top Five Malls of Metro Manila

“No decision should be made on an empty shopping bag” -Donita K. Paul 


The Philippines is known for the locals long-standing affair with their malls. In fact, Philippine malls go beyond the traditional realm of shopping and would give you an experience unlike any other. Seeing as this is the case, it would come as no surprise to find the country's capital replete with malls—almost in every nook and cranny. Metro Manila is the bustling city of the Philippines that would make it the prime and premier spot for malls considering how densely populated this city is.

Indeed, mall developers have used this the city's population to their advantage as evidence by the ring of malls you can find in almost every corner in the city. While there is definitely no shortage of Manila shopping malls, there are malls that are a cut above the rest—whether it may be from the myriad of activities you can do or the great deals you can find, the experience you get from visiting is unlike any other.

Here are some of Metro Manila's top malls:

1.) SM Mall of Asia

Residents of Manila would be hard-pressed not to hear about SM Mall of Asia or more fondly known as SM MOA. This sprawling Supermall is known to be the fourth largest shopping mall in the Philippines and the eleventh largest mall in the world, and when it newly opened back in 2006, it was considered the biggest shopping mall in the world. MOA's allure lies primarily in their entertainment options. Being the first mall in the country to have IMAX and Director's Club Theaters, it would be no surprise that moviegoers would be enticed to visit. Apart from the cinemas, it features an Olympic-sized ice-skating rink, a Ferris wheel, a party and event venue, an indoor arena, concert grounds and a convention center.

2.) Greenbelt

If luxury and high-end shopping are your thing, then Greenbelt would be your go-to mall. Developed by Ayala Malls, Greenbelt consists of five shopping areas that are an eclectic mix of high-end retail shops, a myriad of restaurants, leisure and entertainment centers. Greenbelts charm lies in its architectural design where it masterfully incorporated a garden theme within its mall. It has been gorgeously designed in such a way that indoor and outdoor scenery seamlessly blend.

3.) Glorietta

Glorietta is Metro Manila's popular mall with a vibrant history. Owned by the Ayala Corporation and much like Greenbelt, it is split into five sections. The mall has a wide array of shops, restaurants, and cinemas. It even comes with a gym, arcades and so much more. Unfortunately, the mall's pristine image has been marred by terrifying incidents such as the explosion of 2000, the bombing in 2005 and the fire in 2007. But regardless of this, the mall continues to thrive owing to its convenience and accessibility.

4.) TriNoma

Trinoma is a unique mall that features Alfresco style shops, gardens, and even water features. For many, it is considered a direct competitor of SM City North Edsa as these two malls are standing next to each other. The mall itself consists of four levels and is ringed with alfresco zones that feature lovely landscaped gardens at the rooftop park. If you want a mall that allows you to get in touch with nature, TriNoma should definitely be your pick.

5.) Shangri-La Plaza

Shangri-La Plaza is known for its upscale luxury shopping options. With a great variety of international shops, the particular and meticulous shopper would not be left wanting. Foodies would especially love this mall too as there is a good selection of restaurants—both local and international. It has five state-of-the-art cinemas where CinEurope Film Festival is annually held.

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