Central Visayas Intensifies Efforts to Secure Major Global Events for 2027 and 2028
Tourism stakeholders in Central Visayas are ramping up their initiatives to secure significant regional and global events for the years 2027 and 2028. This marks a more aggressive strategy aimed at elevating the region's position within the highly competitive Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions (Mice) market. Industry players and government agencies have reported that coordinated bidding efforts, both collective and individual, are currently in progress. These efforts build upon the region's growing reputation as a host for high-level international gatherings.
Building on Recent Successes and Expanding Event Portfolio
The renewed push follows a strong start to 2026, with Cebu hosting key Asean meetings such as the Foreign Ministers' Retreat and the Asean Tourism Forum. Additionally, Panglao in Bohol hosted the First Asean Senior Economic Officials' Meeting. More Asean-related events are scheduled throughout the year, including the Asean Leaders' Summit, which Cebu will host in May 2026. According to the Department of Tourism (DOT), the region is also managing a diverse pipeline of corporate, tourism, and sports-related events.
These events include the 11th International Travel Festival, the Sports Tourism Forum Cebu, the Sinag Liga Asya Junior World Showcase, Build Better 2026, the Bjorn Again ABBA Concert Tour, and the Asian Carriers Conference. The DOT emphasizes that such events not only boost immediate visitor arrivals but also strengthen the credentials of Cebu and Bohol as reliable hosts for large-scale international gatherings. This reliability is a crucial factor in ongoing bid campaigns.
Enhancing Industry Capabilities and Infrastructure
The Sports Tourism Forum, in particular, is expected to deepen industry capability by identifying strategies to develop competitive sports tourism destinations. Events like the Sinag Liga Asya showcase aim to strengthen diaspora engagement and enhance regional visibility. AdvantageCebu continues to leverage its connectivity advantage, with Mactan-Cebu International Airport handling over 300 international and more than 1,000 domestic flights weekly.
This connectivity is complemented by expanding venue capacity and a workforce of over 10,000 trained tourism professionals, who deliver what industry players describe as the Filipino Brand of Service Excellence. Bohol, for its part, is capitalizing on its designation as the country's first Unesco Global Geopark. This offers a sustainability-driven destination appeal anchored on unique natural landscapes and community-based tourism programs.
Public-Private Collaboration and Marketing Initiatives
The DOT attributes the region's Mice momentum to strong public-private collaboration. DOT 7 Officer-in-Charge Gelena Asis-Dimpas noted that private sector participation has been critical in upgrading infrastructure and systems to meet global standards. The Cebu Mice Alliance, in partnership with the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has intensified destination marketing efforts.
During the Asean Tourism Forum 2026, the group launched the Cebu MICE Guide 2025, a comprehensive directory featuring around 300 venues, hotels, and service providers. Among those highlighted are Shangri-La Mactan Cebu, bai Hotel Cebu, and The Bellevue Resort in Bohol, which were recognized at the 6th Annual World Mice Awards as top Mice venues for the 2026–2028 period.
Positioning for Future Competitiveness
With a growing portfolio of hosted events and stronger institutional coordination, industry players assert that Central Visayas is now better positioned to compete for larger international conventions and exhibitions in the coming years. This strategic push aims to place the region alongside established Mice hubs such as Singapore, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh, Kuala Lumpur, and Bali, solidifying its status as a premier destination for global events.
