What is the PCVC?

Presidential Decree No. 867, promulgated in January 1976, created the Philippine Convention Bureau (PCB), a government agency.

The Bureau was transformed into a non-stock, non-profit corporation by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 1448 in June 1978.

In July 1987, simultaneously with the reorganization of the Department of Tourism, the PCB was reorganized and renamed the Philippine Convention and Visitors Corporation. These changes were effected through Executive Order No. 120 for the DOT and E.O. No. 120-A for the PCVC.

The Philippine Convention and Visitors Corporation, a government-owned and controlled corporation attached to the Department of Tourism, is committed to position the Philippines as a major tourist and convention destination in Asia. The PCVC is tasked, as the lead agency, to plan and implement the country's tourism marketing efforts.

The corporation shall develop and adopt an Integrated Tourism Marketing Plan which shall guide the industry in creating an ideal destination image and providing a wholesome experience for foreign and local visitors. Under this plan, PCVC shall undertake market research, product development, sales promotions, marketing communications, maintenance of overseas marketing representatives and marketing skills development.

These marketing programs shall be undertaken by PCVC in key international and domestic markets as defined in the Integrated Tourism Marketing Plan.

PCVC shall provide its products and services to local and foreign consumers either directly or thru the Travel Trade and Media. It also recognizes its responsibility to other government agencies and those agencies attached to the Department of Tourism in the delivery and servicing of their tourism marketing requirements.

The PCVC shall create for its employees an organizational environment conducive to professional and personal growth that will encourage maximum productivity towards the attainment of the Corporation's goals. In line with this, PCVC shall adopt the professional management system and shall allocate resources to continuing personal development.

PCVC shall support socio-cultural oriented projects that will help increase employment, promote environmental consciousness, heighten cultural awareness and deepen society's appreciation of tourism as an instrument for national development. PCVC, likewise, recognizes its responsibility to the global tourism community.

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

The PCVC is open for membership to entities with direct or indirect economic, social or cultural interest in tourism, meetings/conventions and incentive travel.

Current members include hotels, travel and tour agencies, professional congress and exhibit organizers, transport operators, restaurants, resorts, tour guides, handicraft and souvenir stores and other travel-related entities and suppliers.

What benefits are enjoyed by members?

In general:

a) Members gain access to marketing opportunities through:

• business leads and other information furnished by PCVC on a regular basis or, as business opportunities for members arise;
• inclusion in PCVC directories/publications;
• participation in selected PCVC overseas sales campaigns, trade fairs and other marketing programs;
• participation in invitational programs for clients.

b) Members receive a certain allocation of promotional materials.
c) Members have access to PCVC library facilities.
d) Members avail of subsidized training programs which are organized to upgrade their servicing skills.
e) Members are represented in the PCVC Board of Trustees, thus participating in decision-making.

What dues are paid by members?

Membership dues depend on category of membership. Regular members (Department of Tourism accredited) are assessed P1,200.00 while associate members (non-Department of Tourism accredited) are assessed P 3,600.00.

How does one become a member?

Applicants must satisfy the criteria set by the Membership Committee of the PCVC Board of Trustees. Interested parties should contact the Corporate Relations Department. (Applicants must be based in the Philippines)