Bacolod City is expected to draw at least 8,000 visitors to three high-profile events this February as it continues to position itself as a premiere destination for meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) in the country.
These events are “expected to bring in significant benefits to local businesses, including hotels, restaurants, shops and transportation services”, the City Tourism Office said in a statement on Tuesday, Feb .4
“This will further boost Bacolod’s reputation as a top destination for tourism and related events,” Chief Tourism Operations Officer Ma. Teresa Manalili said.
More than 2,000 golfers will see action in the PAL Interclub Golf Tournament at the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club and other venues across the city from Feb. 7 to 21.
Some 3,000 participants will gather for the 89th National Convention of Local Treasurers and Assessors at the SMX Convention Center Bacolod on Feb. 17 to 20.
Gaming enthusiasts will converge during the Bacolod Esports Enthusiasts Convention or BEECON 2025 also at the SMX Convention Center Bacolod on Feb. 15 and 16.
Considered Negros Island’s biggest esports convention, the BEECON will host about 3,000 attendees for the mobile esports competition, interactive exhibits and opportunities to connect with fellow gamers.
Manalili said the city government and its partner stakeholders are making extra effort to ensure a memorable experience for all the visitors.
She added that “hotels, shopping malls and restaurants are creating a welcoming ambiance with special decorations and promotions to showcase the city’s hospitality.”
The iconic MassKara Festival dancers will perform at select events to highlight the vibrant and colorful culture of the city.
Manalili said the city government is working with the Bacolod City Police Office, Public Order and Safety Office and Traffic Authority Office to ensure the success of these events.
Bacolod, which aims to become the MICE capital of the region and the top food tourism hub, recorded a 26.22 percent increase in tourist arrivals in 2023, with a total of 780,279 visitors from only 618,682 in 2022.
From January to June last year, the city recorded 400,596 tourist arrivals.
Manalili said the city’s tourism arrivals and receipts from 2019 to the first half of 2024 show that Bacolod “experienced significant challenges and a remarkable recovery” after the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.*PNA