Boracay

Formerly inhabited by indigenous tribes, Boracay is now a top tourist draw best known for its pristine white-sand beaches and laid-back tropical island lifestyle. The small island of Boracay in the Philippines is a collection of "barangays" or villages and numerous resorts, including Manoc-Manoc, Balabag, and Yapak in the municipality of Malay, in Aklan Province. Boracay event venues favor the sports-minded, as the island is popular for its diving and snorkeling facilities and eco-attractions.

The fastest way to reach Boracay from Manila is to Caticlan Airport, followed by a 10- to 20-minute boat ride from Caticlan Jetty port to the island. Only small domestic carriers from Manila, Cebu, and Clark fly to Caticlan, but about 90 minutes away is the Kalibo International Airport, which connects the region to China, Hong Kong, South Korea, and other parts of the Philippines.

Chief among convention venues, Boracay Convention Center (BCC), also known as Boracay Ecovillage Resort and Convention Center, is the largest facility on the island for conferences and meetings. Its 795-square-meter hall accommodates up to 3,000, while its eight function rooms are ideal for smaller groups. Hotel venues in Boracay include the 219-room Shangri-La, which has a 375-square-meter ballroom that accommodates up to 400. Crown Regency Hotels & Resorts has three properties, the largest of which, the 524-room Crown Regency Resort & Convention Center, provides meeting space for up to 1,600 people.

Other expansions include the 300-room Fairways & Bluewater Newcoast, where there is a new par-72 Graham Marsh-designed golf course, as well as new meeting rooms and an exhibit hall to complement an open-air pavilion and amphitheater near its private beach, Paradise Cove.

Apart from visiting Boracay’s many beaches, groups can take a half-day tour of the Bat Caves and the Kar-Tir Shell Museum, which houses a collection of arts and textiles as well as shells. A day tour around Boracay can be capped off with a visit to the nearby Carabao Island on a traditional paraw boat. Team-building activities can range from beach volleyball to jungle trekking to kayaking. Popular dive spots offer a rich marine life.