Promoting Philippine tourism is the most important job this country has.  It is through tourism that we can compete in the global marketplace,’ said Henry Sy, Sr.

The words of the Sy family patriarch are more than just words of wisdom… they are a guiding vision. And such a vision is breathing life into SM Investments Corporations’ (SMIC) latest project — the Mall of Asia Complex.

The Mall of Asia Complex is envisioned to be the country’s premier business and tourism district, situated in the coast of Manila Bay. The 60-hectare mixed-use development will integrate technologically advanced infrastructure with office, retail, institutional, residential and leisure components.

The project is expected to boost the country’s tourism industry and redefine Manila’s place among the exciting urban centers of Asia.

At the center of this emerging business district lies the SM Mall of Asia. The 386,000-sqm shopping complex showcases a variety of stores and live entertainment venues, al fresco dining spaces, and interaction areas for the culture and the arts.

Tagged as the largest mall in the Philippines, the SM Mall of Asia offers the ultimate shopping experience with the country’s first IMAX theater, an Olympic-sized ice skating rink, and an upcoming aquarium.

Just a few steps away are the SM Corporate offices, which consist of six sprawling one-story buildings.

Connecting via a pedestrian bridge from the north side of the SM Mall of Asia is the OneE-com Center, which is targeted for completion by year-end. The center is a 10-story contemporary building designed for e-commerce, contact centers, BPO companies, and specialized office uses.

Also set to open in November at the Mall of Asia Complex is the SMX Convention Center — a world-class venue consisting of open exhibition areas, multi-functional halls and flexible meeting rooms with modern exposition amenities for major conference and trade exhibits.

The three-story, 46,000-sqm building with basement and parking, features a second level commercial shops and a pedestrian bridgeway leading to the SM Mall of Asia.

For those looking for the finest boardwalk experience, the complex offers The Esplanade. The 1.5-kilometer strip of fully-landscaped open-space will be allocated to house retail and entertainment establishments and can accommodate up to 800 guests (banquet set-up).

Another major development project is the SM Arena, a sprawling indoor facility for sports and entertainment events that can seat over 16,000 spectators.

Recently, the SM Mall of Asia Science and Discovery Center was inaugurated Oct. 10 – the first of its kind themepark devoted to science and technology. A partnership between SM Prime Holdings and US-based Leisure Entertainment Consultancy, the center will feature a digital planetarium and a wide range of technology and science-themed presentations and exhibits.

In the pipeline are the construction of the SM Ferry, which will feature a modern ferry terminal to service those who wish to travel to Cavite City and Bataan, or to SMIC’s planned eco-tourism development estate, the Hamilo Coast in Nasugbu, Batangas; the SM Land Showroom will showcase the resort and residential features of the Hamilo estate; and a leisure strip area set to soft-open by next month where people can converge and unwind after a hard day’s work and look forward to fresh and hip themed-happenings every month.

The Mall of Asia Complex will also give rise to real property investments such as hotels, upscale offices and full-serviced apartments.

SMIC just recently forged a memorandum of agreement with the Microtel Inns and Suites hotel group to put up a 150-room hotel strategically located near the SMX Convention Center and the Mall of Asia.

The Mall of Asia Complex is owned and developed by the SM Investments Corporation (SMIC) – the holding company of the SM Group of Companies.

At present, SMIC has positioned itself as one of the key players in the real property and tourism development with projects such as the Hamilo Coast, hotels, residential condominiums, retail, shopping malls, and banking and financial institutions.