PH to campaign for more international events-PNOY

DAVAO CITY March 7 (PIA)- The government will be actively bidding to host international events in next few years.

This was said by President Benigno Aquino III during his speech  this morning (March 7) at the opening of the 2013 MICE (Meetings Incentives Conventions Exhibits) Conference at the new SMX Convention Center in Davao City.

“We in the Philippines have long wanted to explore other avenues for growth. In fact, my administration has been actively campaigning to host some events in the next few years—events that typically involve the participation of top global leaders in both industry and government.” the President said in his speech.   

Among the events the President announced which would be held in the country include the 2014 East Asia Summit of the World Economic Forum, the Joint Session of the UNWTO Regional Commission for East Asia and the Pacific and Regional Commission for South Asia which will also be held next year and the 2015 APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation) Leader’s Summit.

“Some of you may ask: what gives us the confidence to be so aggressive in making these bids? It is because we know that we have the facilities, the skills, and the competence to get things done.” President Aquino said confident of the country’s new capability to host more events and visitors.

In his speech the President stressed the importance of the MICE Conference as a way of enhancing the Philippines’ capability in handling such events. “Personally speaking, this will be very helpful since the Philippines is positioning itself to become a player, again, in the MICE industry.” the President added.

Also in his speech, President Aquino reiterated the continuing efforts of his administration in helping the tourism industry describing it as a low-lying fruit ripe for the picking.

“Back in 2011, we exceeded by two million our original 2016 target of 35.5 million domestic travelers. This means that, in just a year and a half, we already exceeded the target for our whole six-year term.” the President cited the exceeded tourism targets under his administration.

Before the President’s speech, in the presence of MICE Con delegates he signed into law Senate Bill No. 3343 or House Bill No. 6022 which exempts all international and shipping carriers from paying the three percent common carriers tax on receipts and income derived from transporting passengers.

Also in the new law  the carriers are also exempted from paying tax on the gross revenue derived from the carriage of passengers, cargo, or mail provided that the same exemption is granted by the carrier’s home country to the Philippines.

President Aquino said these is among the initiatives undertaken by the government to help the tourism industry as it will facilitate more air traffic and bring in more international visitors into the country.(PIA/RG Alama)