What is the PCVC?

In the past decades, the remarkable growth in the field of international tourism, conventions and incentive travel has raised the demand for professional services and standards related to these areas and for the development of new destinations in Asia. Realizing this challenge, the Philippine Convention & Visitors Corporation (PCVC) was created by virtue of Executive Order 120-A with the following objectives:

o	To create and maintain an organizational machinery to plan, develop and execute a campaign to promote tourism and attract international congresses and conventions in the Philippines.
o	To oversee the requirements and general welfare of visitors / tourists and conventioneers.
o	To encourage and promote the development of skills and services necessarily connected with or forming an integral part in the holding of international congresses and conventions, and efficient handling of visitors to the country.

Does the PCVC work with the private sector?

The PCVC works with the private sector in the planning and implementation of its marketing activities. It undertakes joint promotional activities with the travel trade, especially in the areas of advertising, invitational programs and collateral production. Sales missions and participation in trade and consumer fairs are likewise undertaken jointly with members of the local travel trade

What is the organizational structure of PCVC?

The PCVC is governed by a policy-making body known as the Board of Trustees. The Board formulates policies and approves general work programs.

The Board is given administrative and technical support by the Office of the Corporate Board Secretary.

The Chief Executive Officer of the PCVC is the Executive Director.

Assisting the Executive Director are three deputies, one each for the Corporation's three units: Travel Trade, Conventions and Incentive Travel, and Corporate Affairs.

The Foreign Offices Unit and the Advertising and Publications Department within the Office of the Executive Director complete the organization.

What is the composition of the Board of Trustees?

Board membership is drawn from both government and private sectors. The Secretary of Tourism serves as Chairman. The members who represent organizations involved in the development and promotion of the travel industry, are the following:

• The Head of Office, United Nations and International Organizations, Department of Foreign Affairs
• The Governor of the Central Bank of the Philippines, or his duly authorized representative
• The President of Philippine Airlines, or his duly authorized representative
• The elected representative of the paying members belonging to the travel trade sector
• The elected representative of the paying members belonging to the congresses and conventions sector
• The Undersecretary for Tourism Services and Regional Offices, Department of Tourism
• The Undersecretary for Tourism Promotions, Department of Tourism
• The General Manager, Philippine Tourism Authority
• The PCVC Executive Director (ex-officio member)

What is the Foreign Offices Unit (FOU)?

This unit is responsible for overseeing and monitoring the operations of the offices maintained by the PCVC in selected key markets abroad.

What are the functions of the Advertising and Publications Department?

The main functions of the department are as follows:

1. Creative and Printing Division

Conceptualizes designs and artworks for actual production of promotional materials for the department and the corporations' requirements for dissemination during sales missions, trade fairs,events and consumer promotions.

2. Media Division

Does media planning coordination with media representatives for advertising placements to international and local publications for proper exposure to trade and consumer markets.

 

 

3. Audio-Visual Division

 

Produces audio-visuals, films, video presentations for international events and trade fairs.   Maintains an updated slide library for utilization in the production of promotional materials.

 

What are the functions of the Travel Trade Unit (TTU)?

The TTU promotes the Philippines as a general tourism and special interest travel destination for domestic and international markets.

The TTU assists the Department of Tourism in formulating marketing plans. It then proceeds to implement these approved plans and programs.

The TTU is supported by the DOT Foreign and Domestic Field Offices in the implementation of its domestic and international promotional activities.

How does TTU perform its functions?

The TTU:

• Undertakes, jointly with the private sector, overseas sales missions in target markets directed towards wholesalers and retailers;

Spearheads and coordinates the Philippines' participation in domestic and international trade and consumer fairs in cooperation with the travel trade;

• Conduct invitational programs for tour wholesalers, retailers and travel trade media catering to general tourism and special interest markets;
• Undertakes joint sales promotion activities with tour wholesalers to increase travel demand among consumers;
• Organizes Educational Tour Programs for tour operators;
• Plans and implements special tourism projects.

What are the functions of the Conventions and Incentive Travel Unit (CITU)?

The CITU is tasked to develop and promote the Philippines as a meeting, incentive travel, convention and exhibition destination.

This comprehensive function includes both marketing and developmental activities.

The CITU is supported by the PCVC Foreign Offices Unit and DOT Foreign and Domestic Field Offices in the implementation of its marketing activities abroad.

Both international and domestic segments are covered.

How does CITU perform its functions?

The CITU:

• Undertakes jointly with the private sector, overseas marketing activities such as sales missions and participation in selected trade fairs, directed towards international associations, corporate executives, and meeting/incentive planners;
• Encourages local associations and corporations to bid for international meetings and conventions
• Oversees the effective management of international meetings and conventions held in the Philippines;
• Provides comprehensive information, technical assistance, guidance to meeting planners who seek an ideal venue for their meeting
• Maintains membership and affiliation with selected international organization for updated market intelligence and market data file; and generation of leads;
• Undertakes developmental and educational programs designed to upgrade skills of the suppliers of the meetings, incentive travel, convention and exhibition industry.

What are the functions of the Corporate Affairs Unit (CAU)?

The CAU provides the PCVC with services relating to membership, finance, human resources management, information systems development and management, physical assets management and legal matters.

How does CAU perform its functions?

The CAU:

Provides overall support services to PCVC management and the marketing units;

Conducts membership campaigns and spearheads membership development programs;

Maintains close coordination with PCVC members and undertakes the delivery of services to them;

• Assists the Corporation in all matters relative to budgetary, financial and management improvement.

What services are provided by the PCVC?

A. MARKETING SERVICES

The PCVC's marketing services consist of the following:

I. Sales Promotions Activities

The PCVC undertakes programs and activities that support the marketing and sales efforts of its clients to influence travel decision makers and travelers themselves to come to the Philippines. These activities project the merits of Philippine destinations, and the capability of local service sectors to meet the needs of different types of international travelers:

• Sales Missions
• Participation in selected international trade and consumer shows
• Invitational Programs
• Advertising and Publicity Campaigns
• Special Events and other High Impact Projects
• Sales support to tour operators and other travel industry members

More importantly, these activities provide the best opportunity, particularly for PCVC members, to generate marketing leads, and/or close business deals.

II. Promotional Material Support

The PCVC has a wide selection of general tourism and specialized promotional materials that clients may avail of to support their marketing efforts here and abroad. These materials range from print, audiovisual, to other collateral materials.

III. Bid Assistance

The PCVC renders assistance to travel and convention proponents in bidding for international events.

Depending on need, the PCVC may be involved from bid preparation and presentation; to facilitation and technical assistance during site inspection visits by planners of international events.

The PCVC expertise in bid process, its familiarity with the workings of the international travel market, and its linkages with government agencies and members of the local travel trade are of great value in winning a bid.

IV. Congress and Special Events Liaison

The PCVC liaises with pertinent government agencies and private organizations to facilitate the requirements of international events held in the country.

The PCVC status as a government corporation gives it good access to government agencies which PCVC members and clients may need to deal with.

Some of these government agencies are the Bureau of Customs, the Bureau of Immigration, the Airport Authority and the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Marketing services to clients are generally rendered free of charge. Some sales promotions activities, however, require minimal participation fees from interested entities. Likewise, requests for extra quantities of print and other promotional materials are charged at cost.

B. SERVICES TO MEMBERS

Who are eligible for PCVC Membership?

Pursuant to Section 3 of Executive Order No. 120-A, PCVC shall be open for membership to entities, groups and individuals with direct and indirect economic, social or cultural interest in the travel trade, congresses and conventions.

Categories:

Regular Members
Travel-related entities, groups and individuals (i.e. hotels, resorts, travel and tour agencies, tour operators, tourist transport operators, air/water transport, car rental, etc.) accredited with the Department of Tourism (DOT)

Allied Members
Non Travel-related entities groups and individuals (i.e. non DOT-accredited event/exhibit organizers, service suppliers, printing houses, creative houses, professional associations, media groups and representatives, academe, etc.)

What dues are paid by members?

Membership dues depend on category of membership:

Regular Members - P5,000.00 annually Allied Members - P4,000.00 annually

How to Join?

Regular Members:

o	Must be accredited by DOT and/or licensed by other government regulating agencies
o	The General Manager/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) must have at least two (2) years experience in the sector that the applying company/establishment represents.

The designated permanent/alternate representatives should be the highest ranking official and/or the highest marketing official of the member establishment.

Allied Members:

o	Must submit copies of the following: - License or permit to operate - Business Registration Certificate - Latest Income Tax Return and audited Financial Statement - List of officials and their respective designations

Where applicable, copies of Articles of Incorporation/Partnership and By-Laws must also be submitted.

o	The General Manager/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) must have at least two (2) years experience in the sector that the applying company/establishment represents.

The designated permanent/alternate representatives should be the highest ranking official and/or the highest marketing official of the member establishment.

What are the benefits and services offered to PCVC members?

Regular Members

1.	Ten percent (10%) discount on the following: 1.1. merchandise and souvenir items 1.2. bulk orders of standard collaterals

Discounts will no longer apply for the participation of PCVC members in PCVC-sponsored educational programs and overseas trade fairs/sales missions. Non PCVC members will be given a higher rate for participation in the above events

2.	Complimentary use of the PCVC library

3.	Receipt of PCVC identification decals/stickers which they can display as proof of membership in PCVC

4.	Receipt of up to five (5) sets of standard collaterals i.e. Philippine maps, Philippine flyers, Philippine Primer produced by DOT/PCVC. Provision of additional copies subject to availability up to a reasonable number. Bulk requests will be charged at discounted rates

5.	Receipt of PCVC Circulars, Industry Updates and Market Intelligence Reports

6.	Regular receipts of leads and bids

7.	Preferentia/priority referral to all clients inquiries et. al. Materialized referrals will be subject to another agreement

8.	Preferentia/priority use of member services for any DOT/PCVC project requiring such service

9.	One-page inclusion in the Destination Manual. Additional pages will have a corresponding charge.

10.	Standard inclusion of company name and contact details in the PCVC Website. 10.1. Provision of one page to include company logo and one (1) paragraph on services offered 10.2. Hyperlink to member's official website

11.	Eligibility to be elected as representative in the PCVC Board of Trustees

12.	Right to vote for their representative in the PCVC Board of Trustees

13.

Other services and benefits available at rates lower than market price (not subject to discount anymore):  o Creative services    o Specialized publications i.e. posters, Destination Manual, Congress Organizers Manual, tour shells    o Secretariat support and technical assistance    o Banner Advertising   PCVC offers affordable banner advertising to its members who would like to promote their products/services and events via internet marketing. The PCVC website generates high traffic which averages 76,000 page views monthly. The banner ad is an ad graphic, usually in GIF format limited to 145 wide by 60 high pixels in size.  Cost       a.  Banner Ad with links   -   P 1,000.00 monthly  b.  Banner Ad with one page article -     1,500.00 monthly        o Website Development  PCVC offers an opportunity to its members to have their own website developed by the Corporation. The website will be an opportunity to increase business transactions/leads and have an internet presence globally. The company website is limited to 5 pages and 5 images. Cost       a.  Design and development of 5 pages with 5 images -  P 15,000.00 one time fee b.  Hosting and Maintenance -     500.00 monthly           * Registration of domain name is not included.      o On-line Registration System (on-line payment not included) PCVC offers development of an on-line registration system for events organized by PCVC members. Event organizers are given the opportunity to maximize and target more participants to their events via on-line registration. All on-line registrants received by PCVC will be forwarded via fax or email to the member. Cost       a.  Development of the system -  P 5,000.00 one time fee b.  10% commission paid to PCVC for every registrant received based on the registration fees -          o Promotion of PCVC Members in Asia Travel Philippines Website The PCVC, in its mission to competitively promote the Philippines in the international market, has forged a partnership with Asia Travel Philippines (ATP), a leading global online lodging reservation service provider, to provide online booking capability for its website:www.dotpcvc.gov.ph. Under the said partnership, PCVC's website is powered by ATP to provide seamless online booking services to tourists using online travel arrangements. Various tour offerings of PCVC members that include shopping, wedding, health and wellness, beach, golf, diving, adventures, festivals, eco-tourism, agri-tours and river tours and even hotel room reservation form part of this new service offering. For this year, PCVC travel trade members stand to benefit anew from this new service with its invitation to accept new tour products for online offering. This is part of PCVC's effort to help its members cater to a wider market while banking on and promoting the diverse destinations the country can well offer. With the website posting a global reach, interested members stand to service a bigger and wider market. This is seen to bring about increased business opportunities and new partners in the industry for members who opt for their products to be included in the website offering. Aside from other high-profile promotional service to advance your business interests as a member of PCVC, all PCVC hotel and resort members accredited by Asia Travel Philippines (ATP) will also be featured in the ATP website for online booking accommodations.

Allied Members

1.	Five percent (5%) discount on the following: 1.1. merchandise and souvenir items 1.2. bulk orders of standard collaterals

Discounts will no longer apply for the participation of PCVC members in PCVC-sponsored educational programs and overseas trade fairs/sales missions. Non PCVC members will be given a higher rate for participation in the above events.

2.	Complimentary use of the PCVC library

3.	Receipt of PCVC identification decals/stickers which they can display as proof of membership in PCVC

4.	Receipt of one (1) set of standard collaterals i.e. Philippine maps, Philippine flyers, Philippine Primer produced by DOT/PCVC. Bulk requests will be charged at discounted rates.

5.	Receipt of PCVC Circulars and Industry Updates

6.	Listing (name and address only) in the Destination Manual, where applicable

7.	Listing (name and address only) in the PCVC Website under membership 7.1. hyperlink to member's official website

8.	Preferential/priority referral to all clients inquiries et. al. Materialized referrals will be subject to another agreement

9.

Other services and benefits available at rates lower than market price (not subject to discount anymore):  o Creative services    o Specialized publications i.e. posters, Destination Manual, Congress Organizers Manual, tour shells    o Secretariat support and technical assistance    o Banner Advertising   PCVC offers affordable banner advertising to its members who would like to promote their products/services and events via internet marketing. The PCVC website generates high traffic which averages 76,000 page views monthly. The banner ad is an ad graphic, usually in GIF format limited to 145 wide by 60 high pixels in size.  Cost       a.  Banner Ad with links   -   P 1,000.00 monthly  b.  Banner Ad with one page article -     1,500.00 monthly        o Website Development  PCVC offers an opportunity to its members to have their own website developed by the Corporation. The website will be an opportunity to increase business transactions/leads and have an internet presence globally. The company website is limited to 5 pages and 5 images. Cost       a.  Design and development of 5 pages with 5 images -  P 15,000.00 one time fee b.  Hosting and Maintenance -     500.00 monthly           * Registration of domain name is not included.      o On-line Registration System (on-line payment not included) PCVC offers development of an on-line registration system for events organized by PCVC members. Event organizers are given the opportunity to maximize and target more participants to their events via on-line registration. All on-line registrants received by PCVC will be forwarded via fax or email to the member. Cost       a.  Development of the system -  P 5,000.00 one time fee b.  10% commission paid to PCVC for every registrant received based on the registration fees -          o Promotion of PCVC Members in Asia Travel Philippines Website The PCVC, in its mission to competitively promote the Philippines in the international market, has forged a partnership with Asia Travel Philippines (ATP), a leading global online lodging reservation service provider, to provide online booking capability for its website:www.dotpcvc.gov.ph. Under the said partnership, PCVC's website is powered by ATP to provide seamless online booking services to tourists using online travel arrangements. Various tour offerings of PCVC members that include shopping, wedding, health and wellness, beach, golf, diving, adventures, festivals, eco-tourism, agri-tours and river tours and even hotel room reservation form part of this new service offering. For this year, PCVC travel trade members stand to benefit anew from this new service with its invitation to accept new tour products for online offering. This is part of PCVC's effort to help its members cater to a wider market while banking on and promoting the diverse destinations the country can well offer. With the website posting a global reach, interested members stand to service a bigger and wider market. This is seen to bring about increased business opportunities and new partners in the industry for members who opt for their products to be included in the website offering. Aside from other high-profile promotional service to advance your business interests as a member of PCVC, all PCVC hotel and resort members accredited by Asia Travel Philippines (ATP) will also be featured in the ATP website for online booking accommodations.

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