The tourism industry today contributes 4.2 million jobs, or 11 percent of employment in the country, said Domingo Enerio III, chief operating officer of the Tourism Promotions Board.

This is the very reason why I participated in the 14 th Philippine Travel Exchange, highlighted by a two-day power-pack convention program for the MICE industry practitioners, the MICECON, or Meetings, Incentive Travel, Conventions and Exhibitions/Events conference, at the Marriott Grand Ballroom, Newport City in Manila recently.

MICECON is a gathering of all meetings, incentive travel, conventions, and exhibitions/events professionals, where one gets to meet tourism officers, regional directors and industry partners, such as hoteliers, event organizers, and travel and tour operators.

It was a short notice, but we made it with Ian de Ramos, Ellen Jalandoni, Maricar Dabao and Councilor Jocelle Batapa-Sigue. Since it was an incentive travel event, each day had a theme and everyone wore costumes to the conference. There was a day of peace and music; a flower power party where we were in bellbottom pants, fringe vests, tie dyes, and floral printed blouse with flower hair band; and the 1920s glam with feathered hats, for the Gatsby-themed welcome dinner at House Manila, Resorts World Complex.

The second day was fun with the theme, “Once Upon A Time”, and all of us were in comic con attire. There were a lot of marvel heroes, like superman and iron man, with some in fairytale costumes.

The opening ceremony was filled with computer-enhanced technical lights and sounds. Tony Meloto of Gawad Kalinga was the keynote speaker, who inspired us with his talks on social tourism. Chris Fair, president of Resonance Consultancy, talked about “1 360 View: Today's Trends in Travel and Tourism”, followed by Peter Jordan, a senior tourism analyst, on “Toposophy”, and the rise of millennial travelers, or the wired and wireless travelers where the likes of trip advisor is sought after, and a basis for the travels of the young.

In fact, Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. said the Philippines is rated by Tripadvisor 2015 Travelers Choice in first place in the “Top 25 Beaches in Asia” destination.

We had breakout sessions with really good international speakers. MICECON ended with a party welcoming buyers and sellers for the Travel Exchange. The Visit Philippines Year 2016 campaign was shown to us, where MassKara Festival of Bacolod and The Ruins of Talisay were highlighted in the video presentation.

We had lots and lots of giveaways and everyone was entertained by Apl.de.Ap, Rhada and Jessica Reinoso, with the La Salle Dance Company. Indeed, MICECON will always be the best conference in the tourism industry, where you get to indulge in good food, have fun with good company, and learn more from very good speakers.

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Happy fiesta, Talisay!*

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