A top official of Megaworld Hotels and Resorts has signified its readiness to host the upcoming ASEAN Summit and ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) in Cebu, as its Mactan Expo, a two-level standalone convention center inside the 30-hectare The Mactan Newtown, is already 90 percent complete and on track to open its doors later this year.

In preparation for hosting the high-level events, officials and delegates from various MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) organizations in the ASEAN region, led by Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, visited the Mactan Expo last Thursday to see Cebu’s newest convention center up close for the first time.

“Cebu is ready to be a contender for the next wave of MICE tourism in Southeast Asia. With world-class facilities combined with warm Filipino hospitality, we are humbled and poised to welcome the world. The Mactan Expo will be a game-changer, not only for Cebu, but for Philippine tourism, more importantly,” said Cleofe Albiso, managing director of Megaworld Hotels and Resorts, who also serves as the chairperson of the Cebu Tourism Forum.

According to the property giant, Mactan Expo is set to become a premier hub for MICE events, offering nearly a full hectare of versatile event space.

At the ground level is a state-of-the-art convention hall, purpose-built to host up to 2,500 guests in a theater-style setup or 1,600 attendees in a banquet arrangement.

Designed with adaptability in mind, the hall can be transformed into three individual spaces, each capable of hosting 700 to 900 guests in a theater layout or 500 to 600 in a banquet configuration, ideal for conferences, galas, and exhibitions of various scales.

The main convention hall also features an expansive foyer and pre-function areas, dual drop-off points, a service kitchen, cafés, and a dedicated event showroom for immersive sample setups and custom arrangements.

On the mezzanine level, two meeting rooms provide a more intimate setting for gatherings. Each can accommodate up to 150 guests in a theater layout or 100 in a banquet format. These rooms can also be combined into a larger venue. This level includes a pre-function area, an open-air balcony for networking, and storage space for logistics.

With its minimalist design that illuminates at night, the Mactan Expo’s façade will be enhanced by locally sourced interiors inspired by Cebu’s culture, festivals, cuisine, natural beauty, and iconic symbols.

Strategically located across the Mactan Expo are two hotel properties under Megaworld Hotels and Resorts, Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown and Belmont Hotel Mactan, offering nearly 1,100 rooms combined.

Following the Mactan Expo’s completion, Belmont Hotel Mactan will be rebranded as Mercure Mactan Cebu under a partnership with global hospitality group Accor. This will mark the entry of the first internationally branded hotel in The Mactan Newtown, enhancing the township’s global appeal.

Adding to the township’s flexibility are two beachfront venues at Mactan Newtown Beach: the Glass Pavilion, an air-conditioned all-glass space with sweeping ocean views, and the Ceremonial Garden, a serene open-air site ideal for weddings, wellness retreats, and milestone events.

These venues further highlight The Mactan Newtown’s seamless fusion of business and leisure.