(http://www.remburssi.org/projects/philippines/industry.htm)Tourism General, incentives for investment Some of the most beautiful places in the whole world are situated in the Philippines. These include, for example, the white-sanded Boracay Island, Baguio, the summer resort, and Palawan, the last frontier of the Philippines. The warm, hospitable and friendly Filipinos have a special way of making travellers feel welcome. This has strongly contributed to the development of the tourist industry in the Philippines. The Board of Investments offers attractive incentives to tourism investors. These include 100% equity participation, income tax holidays and the possibility for capital repatriation. Fiscal incentives are, however, limited to existing and potential investment centers for tourism development outside the Metro Manila Area. The following tourism activities are registrable and entitled to incentives: development of tourism estate, establishment and modernization of accommodation facilities and operation of tourist transport facilities. Ecotourism The concept of ecotourism is to help protect the environment in which tourism thrives, from natural resources, and flora and fauna to cultures. It does not limit itself to nature-related tourism like scuba diving or wilderness tours, but concerns the whole tourist industry as well. Once understood and practiced, it guarantees sustainable development of the tourism industry not only for present generations, but for coming generations as well. Ecotourism is a small but growing segment of the industry. It minimizes the negative environmental impact of tourism in natural areas and maximizes the economic and social benefits of tourism for the local communities. The Philippine Department of Tourism provides continuous research on ecotourism activities. Rated as one of the most beautiful places in the Philippines, Northern Palawan represents one of the nation's most environmentally and culturally sensitive areas. It is not earmarked for mass markets. Rather, its primary goal is to develop a tourism sector that is both environmentally and socially sensitive, sustainable, and internationally recognized.

AdventuresKnown as a beach haven for celebrities and travel enthusiasts, the country's unique 7,107-island geography makes the destination just as perfect for travelers looking for adventure, nature, and culture.The Philippines' diverse natural wonders make us a sought-after destination among the pack of adventurers; those who choose to explore outdoor escapes.While adventurism has just recently been recognized as a global trend, the Philippines has been catering to this demand as a way of life being blessed with mountains, caves, white waters, name it, the Philippines has it!Air AdventuresDo you get thrills from thousands of feet in the air? Then let the Philippines satisfy your aerial cravings!Sky DivingsIf skydiving is your passion, then the Philippines is the right place for you. The countrys affordable skydiving packages allow you to fulfill your dream of hurtling through the sky while marveling at the majestic views. The Skydiving Center in Tanauan, Batangas presents one of the most spectacular skydiving scenery in the world, with a drop zone between Mount Makiling and Taal Volcano.Ultralight Flying/Helicopter SightseeingUltralight flying is the most basic, elemental of light. Its also the most exhilarating. While it may be expensive in other parts of the world, its well within your budget I the Philippines. Clark Field in Pampanga, a few hours north of Manila, has the most affordable Ultralight flying packages, allowing you to experience the sensation of flying without paying a fortune. A commendable safety record and world-class pilot support make ultralight flying in he Philippines as safe as it is thrilling.Hot air BallooningThe Philippines is also a fantastic spot for hot-air ballooning. And every February, you can join the Philippine Hot Air Festival in Clark Field, in Pampanga. Its one of Asias biggest hot-air balloon festivals, and the sight of those colorful orbs filling up the sky is sure to take your breath away.Land AdventuresOn just all about of Philippines 7107 islands, you can find exhilarating extreme adventures that allow you to explore our natural wonders.Mountain BikingWhether youre a hardcore downhiller, or a jungle trail rider, or you simply crave for a leisure ride on flat bike trails, the Philippines is for you and you dont even have to go far from Manila. There are excellent bike bike trails in the outskirts of the capital namely those in San Mateo, Rizal, and Santa Rosa, Laguna. But for demanding technical riding, you must try out the Aeta Jungle Luge trail in Subic Bay Freeport, or head off to Baguio City. Its a jump-off point for many mountain bike trails that begin at the outskirts of the city and take riders as far as La Union and Nueva Vizcaya. Sagada is also a popular destination for mountain bikers. The Visaya Region is likewise dotted with dozens of trails like the Die Hard Trail in Loboc, Bohol.Rock ClimbingRock climbing has caught on big in the Philippines. There are currently about a dozen indoor walls in Metro Manila, plus great outdoor sites near Mania. Montalban, with its limestone cliffs as high as 300 feet, is a popular destination. There are also terrific cliffs near Baguio in the north, and down south in Atimonan, Quezon. But for a truly exotic rock climbing experience, check out the spectacular cliffs at El Nido and Coron; near the world-class beach resorts of Palawan.TrekkingThe Philippines is full of great trekking and mountaineering spots. Mountaineers flock to the nations highest peaks, like Mount Pulag in the north and Mount Apo, the countrys highest peak, in the southern island of Mindanao. But there are other great hiking and trekking sites, like the eerily beautiful Mount Pinatubo crater. Light treks can also be enjoyed in the outlying provinces of Metro Manila, like Laguna, Batangas, and Bulacan.Cave ExplorationThe Philippines is a haven for cave exploration enthusiasts. The caves in Sagada feature spectacular lime formations. These caves are also ancestral burial sites for the local indigenous people. the famous Callao cave has a chapel made of gothic-like arches formed by stalagmites and stalactites. And at dusk, visitors are treated to the sights of thousands of bats streaming out of the mouth of the cave. Meanwhile in Palawan, you can explore the St. Paul Subterranean River, the worlds longest underground waterway. No doubt there are still hundreds of fascinating caves in the Philippines that are still waiting to be discovered.Bird WatchingThe Philippines is truly a birdwatchers dream. The country is home to over 760 species of birds, including some of the rarest species in the world. The Candaba Swamp in Pampanga is a well-known bird sanctuary. As a stopover for birds migrating from the north Asia, rare birds like the Eurasian spoonbill and schrencks bittern have been spotted there. The Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary, near Cebu, is also a paradise for birdwatchers. Over 50 different species of migratory birds have been spotted here, including the rare Chinese egret.Water AdventuresIf you like getting your thrills above and underneath the waves, then the Philippines has so much to offer!Sea KayakingPaddling out to sea is a great way to commune with nature. Sea kayaking packages are widely available all over the archipelago, but the prime spot for the sport has to be the Calamian Islands off Palawan. There you will discover the pristine, palm-fringed limestone island that the indigenous people of the area, the Tagbanuas, have been exploring for generations. Subic Bay and Boracay, two major vacation spots, also offer sea kayaking.Scuba DivingDivers around the world agree: the Philippines has some of the finest scuba diving sites on the planet. The archipelago is te center of marine fish biodiversity and home to most diverse marine ecosystem in the world. The options are endless. Night dives in Anilao, Batangas reveal unusual creatures like sea goblins, blue-ringed octopi, mandarin fishes and ghost-pipe fishes. The popular Puerto Galera resort in Mindoro offers a close-up look at fascinating coral gardens and colorful sea creatures. Balicasag island, off the coast of Bohol, has spectacular black coral forest and caves to explore. But nothing leaves divers in awe like the legendary Tubbattaha reefs, known for their underwater splendor. In fact, Tubbattaha was declared on of UNESCOs World Natural Heritage sites because of its sheer beauty.Board SportsThese new board sorts are taking the Philippines by storm. Kiteboarding, where you ride the waves while tethered to a giant kite, has proven to be a huge attraction at the beach paradise of Boracay, is a mecca for boardsailing enthusiasts. Wakeboarding is a unique thrill especially at the Camsur Watersports Complex near Naga City, an hours flight from Manila. This new, man-made watersports park is the epicenter for wakeboarding in the country.White Water RaftingYou dont have to go to the Colorado River to feel the pure adrenalin rush of white water rafting. The Philippines has two fabulous white water rafting sports to choose from. Up north is the Chico River, a 72 kilometer silver of frothy river that winds itself through the heart of the breathtaking Cordillera Mountains. The southern island of Mindanao also has a whitewater rafting showcase, the rough-and-tumble Cagayan De Oro River. Either way, youll be in for the ride of your life!SurfingWhether youre a novice surfer or a veteran tube rider, the Philippines has a surf venue for you. Beginners can hone skills in La Union, Zambales, or Leyte. Baler, in the province of Aurora, offers greatPacific Ocean surfing just a few hours away from Manila. But hardcore surfers must make a beeline to Siargao. This island off Mindanao is home to the legendary Cloud Nine break, where the Pacific Ocean regularly serves up to ten-foot waves that offer the ultimate surfing high

Diving/ScubaThe Philippines is to scuba divers what Switzerland is to skiers, Hawaii to surfers and Nepal to mountaineers. This is a place you must visit at least once, to get the real heart of sport. The country is a veritable smorgasbord of world-class dive sites set in a lush tropical environment with all the trappings you could ever wish for.The Philippines is a scuba divers dream come true. The warm waters surrounding the Philippines 7,107 islands present an underwater wildlife extravaganza, so spectacular that divers return for an average of 10 trips each.Dive into crystal clear waters underwater visibility of up to 60 meters, discover shipwrecks, cliffs covered with sponges, colorful corals, gorgonians, turtles, sharks, rays, and even the very rarely seen exotic fishes like Spanish Dancer, harlequin ghost-pipefish, camouflaged frogfish and fire gobies. Thanks to the convergence of the nutrient rich waters of the Pacific Ocean, South China Sea and Celebes Sea, you will be a spectator to an aquatic symphony of over 2,000 species of marine fish as well as more than 400 out of the 500 known coral species in the world.The Philippines is divided into 3 geographical areas: Luzon, Visayas & Mindanao. All regions offer premier destinations for divers amidst lush tropical environment with excellent underwater views.So whether youre just after a relaxing dive with spectacular views or a chance to perfect your macro photography skills, take on these dive spots for the best of all worlds. So whether you're just after a relaxing dive with spectacular views or a chance to perfect your macro photography skills, take on these dive spots for the best of all worlds.

Golfing

Tee off and experience the beautiful settings of the Philippines unique golfing enclaves, from lush valleys to mountaintops, seaside resorts, or just within the cityscapes. The courses have been designed by golf's premier architects, radiating the strategic brilliance of such greats as Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, and Robert Trent Jones, Jr., among others. Play at venues that have been proud sites of some of the most prestigious international and local tournaments, like the Johnnie Walker Classic, the World Amateur Golf Championships, the World Cup, The Asian PGA, and the Philippine Open.

BAGUIO COUNTRY CLUB (Baguio City)Tel. No. (63-74) 442-5060/5069It is one of the oldest and finest courses in the country. Even at par 61, this does not indicate an easy round due to its restrictive layout of tight fairways and rolling hills.

CAMP JOHN HAY (Baguio City)Tel. No. (63-74) 442-2101/2102Smell the pines as you walk through the fairways of this par 69 all-weather course. Laid out about 5,000 ft. above the sea level, it was recently redesigned by the Nicklaus Group.

CANLUBANG GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB (Canlubang, Laguna)Tel. No. (63-49) 549-1362/1363This 36-hole complex is the largest in the Philippines, masterfully designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr. The North course is a championship layout with a rating of 72.4 while the South course also features ravines, a bit of sand traps, and other challenges.

CLUB INTRAMUROS (Intramuros, Manila)Tel. No. (632) 527-2887/6612Try a superb round of night golf amidst the historic walled city of Manila. It is simply a par 66 course but it can be a real test of your short game, with water or out-of-bounds or both, in nearly every hole.

EASTRIDGE GOLF COURSE (Binangonan, Rizal)Tel. No. (632) 651-2240/2298Two man-made lagoons, one in the front nine spanning 1.3 hectares and the other at the back nine at 2.3 hectares, are the most distinct features of this 80-hectare 18-hole par 72 course.

FOREST HILLS GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB (Cogeo, Antipolo City)Tel. No. (632) 651-2240/2298With a 74.7 course rating, this course characterized by rolling terrain at the front nine and a moderately hilly back nine, poses many possible difficulties for the average golfer.

LUISITA GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB (Hacienda Luisita, Tarlac)Tel. No. (632) 817-9309This is one of the finest 18-hole par 72 championship courses in the country. Its most interesting feature is water. Eleven of its 18 holes have well-placed water hazards, the most awesome of which is at hole 17.

MIMOSA GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB (Clark Airbase, Angeles City)Tel. No. (63-45) 599-2461/3333 loc. 2024/2025Tiger Woods played in this 86-hectare rolling terrain set against the backdrop of mountain ranges. It is a championship course composed of three distinctive nines: Acacia, Lakeview, and Mountainview.

PUERTO AZUL (Ternate, Cavite)Tel. No. (632) 525-9248 loc.7643Puerto Azul is a par 72 course that is one of the most scenic in the country, proud of its very famous combination of mountain and sea. Its signature hole is number 17, a par 3 hole delineated by one of the deepest water hazards in the Philippine Golf the China Sea.

SHERWOOD HILLS (Trece Martirez City, Cavite)Tel. No. (63-46) 4192841/2855/2843Sherwood Hills is another Jack Nicklaus signature course. It is an inland-links-type course with wide fairways and a good size of greens suitable for very relaxed and leisurely rounds of the game.

STA. ELENA GOLF CLUB (Sta. Rosa, Laguna)Tel. No. (63-49) 549-1277/1278Another Robert Trent Jones, Jr. creation is this 27-hole all-weather championship course. The 120 hectares of gently rolling terrain gave the designer the opportunity to create a number of memorable holes that wind their way through the natural movement of the property.

TAGAYTAY HIGHLANDS (Tagaytay City, Cavite)Tel. No. (63-46) 413-0888The Tagaytay Highlands is a par 71 championship course that will surely put a golfer's power and accuracy to the test. The difference in elevation between the last and first holes of each nine is so dramatic that a cable car system is in place to ferry golfers from the 9th and 18th holes to the 1st and 10th tees.

THE EVERCREST (Nasugbu, Batangas)Tel. No. (632) 712-9293The Evercrest is an Arnold Palmer designed course which has tight fairways blanketed with Tifton grass and guarded by steep hills and deep ravines to give golfers the thrill of playing a par 72 championships course.

THE MANILA SOUTHWOODS (Carmona, Cavite)Tel. No. (63-46) 430-0262Venue of the World Amateur Golf Championship 1996, this course is composed of two 18-hole Jack Nicklaus signature courses: the "Masters" course punctuated by traps and water hazards, and the "Legends" course accentuated by high mounds.

THE ORCHARD (Dasmarias, Cavite)Tel. No. (632) 842-8344/8355Venue of the 1995 Johnnie walker classic, The Orchard is composed of two 18-hole courses, one designed by Arnold Palmer, and the other by Gary Player.

THE RIVIERA (Silang, Cavite)Tel. No. (632) 807-7061/76 / (046) 414-2821/2838/2839The Riviera is a very scenic course characterized by rolling hills, verdant foliage, coconut trees, cool springs, and waterfalls.

VALLEY GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB (Antipolo City)Tel. No. (632) 658-4901Rated at par 72, this 7,097-yard spread of exhilarating greens, rolling hills, and meandering brooks can make golfers use the majority of their clubs, the mark of a true championship course.

WACK WACK GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB (Mandaluyong City)Tel. No. (632) 723-066Wack Wack has two fine 18-hole courses: the internationally known East Course, where some of the biggest tournaments have been held; and the shorter, less troublesome West Course, which usually draws the more senior and female golfers of the club.

ROYAL NORTHWOODS GOLF CLUB (San Rafael, Bulacan)Tel. No. (632) 4431656, (6344) 7660278The Royal Northwoods Golf Club, named as a "Jewel of the North" is a Graham Marsh, first class 18-hole championship masterpiece, showcasing innovation, distinct form and personality. Challenging but fair, the Royal Northwoods' architecture entails a balance of aesthetics and function.

Medical TourismThe Philippines has been growing as a tourist destination of choice for health and vacation because of our world class physicians, modern technology, and our uniquely Filipino brand of caring and compassion at great values for money with only a fraction of the cost in developed countries. We are home to some of the best hospitals and stand-alone specialty clinics in the world, offering world-class expertise, state-of-the-art facilities, topped with the distinct warmth of the famous Filipino hospitality. We also have some of the world's best spa retreat resorts and tour destinations in this part of the earthHeritage & Historical

HistoryThe Philippines has a rich history beginning from its earliest days as one of the busiest trading posts in South East Asia and later, in the trans-Pacific galleon trade. A period of Spanish colonization spanning three centuries then made an indelible impression on the country. This mercurial era, along with the American occupation, played a vital role in shaping the Philippines and its people. A vivid past has left its mark all over the archipelago in many different forms that present-day visitors to the country are now discovering.The rich Philippine heritage can be experienced, not only in textbooks and museums, but also in beautifully preserved historical sites across the country. A simple textbook description of a historical event comes to life upon a visit to the place where it unfolded. Isla ng Corregidor, or simply, Corregidor, is now a tranquil island where the epic dramatic Battle of Corregidor took place during the last world war. In a country like the Philippines, where history is kept alive, one doesn't need to go far to travel back in time.

HeritageTubbataha Reef National Marine ParkLocation: Middle of the Sulu Sea, 181 kilometers southeast of Puerto Princesa, PalawanInscribe in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1993

The Tubbataha Reef Marine Park covers 33,200 hectares including the north and south reefs. It is a marvelous marine wilderness and a special ecosystem much appreciated for its beauty as well as its scientific value.

It is a unique example of an atoll reef with a very high density of marine species, with 80% coral cover of 46 coral genres and 376 fish species. The site is an excellent example of a pristine coral reef with a spectacular 100-meter perpendicular wall, extensive lagoons and two-coral islands.

Tubbatahas north islet is a nesting site for sea birds of all kinds and endangered hawksbill sea turtles; a divers paradise with gorgonian seafans, soft corals, and gigantic sea sponges serving as home to turkey fish, anemone crab, banded seasnakes, nudibranchs, starfish, catsharks, surgeon fish, batfish, and butterfly fish. The rare, unusual looking fox-faced rabbit fish can also be found in the marine park. Marine turtles, including the critically endangered hawksbill and green turtle, nest on some of the beaches.Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National ParkLocation: Saint Paul Mountain Range on the northern coast of PalawanInscribe in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1999

The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park features a spectacular limestone karst landscape with its underground river. The river is unique because it flows directly into the sea, and its lower portion is subject to tidal influences. The area also represents a significant habitat for biodiversity conservation. The site contains a whole ecosystem --- from mountain to the sea; and protects forests, which are among the most significant in Asia.

A highlight of each visit is a ride through its 8 km-long underground river which runs through a dome of stalactites complemented by stalagmites running the entire length of the cave.

The park is a popular destination for bird watching and is known for regular sightings of threatened bird species of Palawan peacock-peasant and Philippine cockatoo and the endemic birds Palawan scopsowl, swiftlet, hornbill, flyeater and blue flycatcher, tit and flowerpecker. It is blessed to have the Palawan flying fox, Oriental small-clawed otter, stinkbadger, binturong, flying squirrel, mountain tree squirrel and porcupine.

The park also features an exciting Monkey Trail with its series of wooden paths to the forest.Rice Terraces of the Philippine CordillerasLocation: IfugaoInscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1995

The 2,000-year old Banaue Rice Terraces the most extensive anywhere in the world were carved into the mountains of Ifugao by ancestors of the Batad indigenous people. The terraces are located approximately 1,500 meters (5,000 feet) above sea level and cover 10,360 square kilometers (about 4,000 square miles) of the mountainside.

Known as the eight wonder of the world, the terraces were carved with only simple tools and bare hands. They are fed by an ancient irrigation system, an ingenious complex of bamboo pipes and canals, drawing water from streams created by bubbling springs located in the mountain rainforests.

Considered as a monument to mans genius in turning a rugged and forbidding terrain into a source of sustenance, the rice terraces stand to be the most awe-inspiring man-made landscape in the Cordilleras. They are also invariably called The Stairway to the Sky.Historic Town of ViganLocation: Vigan, Ilocos SurInscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1999

The 16th century town of Vigan is an exceptionally intact and well-preserved example of a European trading town in East and East Asia. Its architecture reflects the fusion of cultural elements from the Philippines, China and Europe, resulting in a culture and townscape that has no parallel anywhere in East and Southeast Asia.

Seemingly impervious to time, spared from rebellion and the ravages of war, Vigan has remained unchanged and its many preserved historic sites more than 180 edifices make it look like a piece of Spain. With its grand cathedral, massive mansions with red-tile roofs and spacious balconies, narrow cobblestone streets, horse drawn carriages, and friendly faces peering out of large windows, Vigan is a place where time stood still.Baroque ChurchesInscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1993San Agustin Church in Intramuros, ManilaBuilt in 1587, the San Agustin Church is the oldest stone church in the Philippines, the only one that remains as the original evidence of the 16th century Spanish architecture. It has defied several earthquakes and the heavy shelling of both Japanese and American forces in 1945 and now stands as a reminder of the grandeur of the past.

The structural design of the church is extraordinary. It boasts of the only example in the country of a barrel vault, dome and arched vestibules, supporting its choir loft, all made of stone. Its faade is notable for its two pairs of columns the lowest pair in Doric style, the upper pair in Corinthian topped by a pediment surmounted by a Cross. The main door, carved out of Philippine molave, has a bas-relief of St. Augustine and his mother, Santa Monica. San Agustin Church represents the art and technology of Spanish, Chinese, and native cultures fused together to suit human sentiments and faiths that found expression in customs and traditions that were evolved through the centuries.

As the best-preserved example of an urban ecclesiastical complex in the Philippines, the compound serves not only as a historical document of the Spanish colonial heritage but also as a repository of the most important works of art and literature of the period.

Miag-ao Church in IloiloBuilt in yellow-orange sandstone, the large fortress-church of Miag-ao was completed in 1797. It served as a fortress against raids of marauding Moro pirates.

The church is amazingly beautiful because of its two asymmetric pyramidal towers and its finely sculptured, yellow sandstone faade. Its faades carving is the pinnacle of Filipino nave art, in which craftsmen abandon all restraints to interpret Western decorative styles in the local folk idiom. The central element in the faade is Saint Christopher, clad like a Filipino farmer with rolled-up trousers. He carries the Christ Child on his back while holding on to a lush coconut tree for support. Beside him are guava and papaya trees, flanked by ornamental urns. The scene merges Western Catholic iconography with a folk interpretation of coastal Iloilo countryside.San Agustin Church in Paoay, Ilocos NortePhoto by Anna Buenaventura.Paoays San Agustin Church, built in 1604, is one of the most outstanding variants of earthquake baroque in the Philippines, where the primary consideration was to design the structure for earthquake protection.

The faade of San Agustin Church is astounding but its most prominent feature is the phalanx of buttresses that juts out perpendicularly from the sidewalls, purposely to strengthen the walls and the entire structure against earthquake damage. Fourteen massive S-shaped buttresses rise in rhythmic cadence from the ground to the roofline.

The church is an eye-catcher as it emerges from a beautiful open space, unlike many other churches located within urban settings.

Nuestra Seora de la Asuncion in Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur

The Church of Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion in Santa Maria is unique for its utter disregard for the traditional Spanish urban plan of constructing the church to face the plaza, and less imposing religious and official buildings grouped around. It also has a citadel appearance as the church, with its convent and bell tower, stands alone on the crown of a solitary hill encircled by a stonewall, with stone stairways leading to the church.

It is the only church in the Philippines exuding the ambience of a Mediterranean hill town with its convent built parallel to the church faade and its bell tower detached from the main church. Evoking a Chinese pagoda, the bell tower of octagonal shapes of decreasing diameter is crowned by a small dome, tapering to the sky with an oriental grace.

MEETINGS, INCENTIVES, CONVENTIONS AND EXHIBITIONS (MICE)The development of the Philippine convention industry became official government policy in 1976, a milestone year that marked the establishment of Southeast Asias first full-fledged convention center, the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC); and the creation of the Philippine Convention Bureau (PCB) as a government corporation dedicated to the promotion of Philippines as a meetings and convention destination. That same year, the Philippines successfully played host to the International Monetary Fund - World Bank Joint Conference that signaled the entry of the Philippines into the world conventions market.Since then, the Philippines has hosted some of the biggest and most important international and regional meetings, conferences, conventions, congresses, and events that have made its capital city, Manila, one of the acknowledged Convention Cities of the world.The Philippine Convention Bureau (PCB) was later reorganized in 1987 to become the Philippine Convention and Visitors Corporation, now known as Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), in response to market developments which embraced the new, more specialized, and quality-oriented Incentive Travel Industry. In recent years, the meetings, conventions, and incentive travel industry evolved into an even wider representation of several specialized sector of tourism to encompass exhibition and events. The convention industry now became known by the acronym: MICE, which stands for Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions/Events.

THE ROLE OF THE TOURISM PROMOTIONS BOARD (TPB)The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) is a corporate body attached to the Philippine Department of Tourism (PDOT) that is responsible for marketing and promoting the Philippines as a global tourism destination. Specifically, it shall market the Philippines as a major convention destination in Asia, taking charge of attracting, promoting, facilitating, and servicing large-scale events, international fairs and conventions, congresses, sports competitions, expositions and the like.Its Conventions and Incentive Travel (CIT) Unit in particular, provides comprehensive information, technical assistance and guidance to planners, organizers, association and corporate executives, government and non-government institutions, and other entities who seek an ideal venue for their meetings, incentive travel groups, conventions, exhibitions and events.The TPB offers its experience and expertise through the following wide range of services and business solutions to convention and meeting planners and incentive travel organizers:1. SALES AND PROMOTIONSAggressive Philippine participation in MICE-specific international trade shows and expositions, the conduct of sales missions abroad; and the organization of regular MICE Buyer Invitational Programs to the Philippines.2. BID PREPARATIONMatching international account leads with local counterparts with the potential to bid; technical assistance in the planning, preparation, and submission of Philippine Bid Proposals; active assistance in soliciting multisectoral support and in drawing up a total package of benefits and privileges for Bid Presentions before international decision making Boards and entities.3. LIAISON SERVICESCoordination between the international Host Committee and the Local Counterpart Organization; assistance in matching the international organizations requirements with suitable Philippine facilities and services; locating and endorsing PDOT/TPB-accredited and professional MICE suppliers; and in liaising with government and other relevant local entities for necessary permits, endorsements and authorities.4. PROMOTIONAL MATERIAL SUPPORTProvision of an adequate supply of specialized information materials on the Philippines as an ideal destination for MICE groups, marketing paraphernalia like audio visual presentations, Delegates bags and kits, giveaways, specially printed materials and other materials as required.5. TECHNICAL VISITSCoordination and organization of technical visits of international MICE Clients in relation to a bid or a hosted/booked MICE account.6. ATTENDANCE PROMOTIONAssistance in promoting attendance to booked events through its network of foreign and domestic offices.

As Asias pioneer in conventions, the Philippines can easily host an international event with expertise and creative approaches. More importantly, though, it offers the added incentive of discovering 7,107 island experiences: breathtaking natural wonders that range from the golden sunset of Manila Bay to the virgin rain forests and mysterious underground rivers of Palawan; from historic Intramuros and Vigan to the graceful mosques and indigenous tribes of Muslim Mindanao; from golfing greens to 44,097 square meters of coral reef dive sites teeming with marine life; from innumerable pristine white-sand beaches to the wonder that is the Banaue Rice Terraces.But however each visitor experiences the Philippines, what shines through is the genuine warmth and gracious hospitality that comes naturally from the heart of every Filipino. This is the heartware, the extra touch which adds a special, welcoming spark to each guests stay. It is an added perk that makes any convention or incentive trip to the Philippines a memory that will last a lifetime.CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION FACILITIES1. PHILIPPINE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTER (PICC)CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Manila, PhilippinesAn architectural landmark on itsown, housing works of variousFilipino master artists in painting, the Philippine International Convention Center made history as Asias first convention center, setting a trend that led to countries to build their own.Night Entertainment

The Philippines is a country of 7,107 vibrant and colorful islands, all pulsating with life and teeming with flavor. Yet, it is in Manila where you can hear its heart beating the loudest! Manila is a sophisticated capital - the seat of power, center of trade and industry, commerce, education, entertainment and the arts. It is an invigorating blend of some of the countrys oldest and richest heritage treasures, and the most modern metropolitan features of the Philippine landscape. Its people have acquired an urban cosmopolitan air about them, but have managed to retain their warm and friendly smiles that have made Filipino hospitality renowned throughout the world.Manila started as a small tribal settlement along the Pasig River before it became the seat of Spanish colonial rule in Asia during the 16th century. For more than 300 years, Manila served as the center of Spanish military might in the region, and an important port in the trans-Pacific galleon trade. When the Philippines was ceded to the United States by the late 19th century, Manila transformed into a cosmopolitan city, patterned after the styles of American post-colonial designs. Today, surrounded by ultramodern skyscrapers, one can still catch glimpses of this Spanish-American past. Manila has thrived and survived it all, a bustling megalopolis of 17 cities and municipalities and over 12 million inhabitants.

Volunteer Tourismunder constructionWedding/HoneymoonsWeddings in the tropics like the Philippines is increasingly gaining popularity.This land being a treasure trove of cultures and traditions lures many young couples to celebrate their weddings in true blue Filipino style. Filipino weddings have always been known for their grandeur and magnificence.The celebrations are opulent in every sense of the word. Philippine customs evokes a great deal of interest among the foreigners. And many cherish the desire to perform their weddings in this fashion making it a memorable occasion in every sense of the word.Plan your Honeymoon in the Philippines; it is literally the icing on the cake and a beautiful finish to your Philippine wedding experience. After all not just marrying the Filipino way but also savoring the exquisiteness of the Philippines gives completeness to the entire affair.

THAILAND

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