Philippines Plans to Create Gastronomy Tourism Roadmap to Showcase Regional Cuisine

The Department of Tourism (DOT) plans to develop a national gastronomy tourism roadmap to help promote unique Filipino dishes across different regions to showcase to local and international tourists.

Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco announced this initiative at the UN Tourism Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism for Asia and the Pacific last June 26 in Cebu.

The roadmap aims to position Filipino cuisine as a key attraction for visiting the Philippines, potentially increasing tourist arrivals and generating employment opportunities.

It will involve comprehensive government support and efforts to ensure the quality and availability of ingredients, with plans extending until 2029.

The initiative will highlight both popular and lesser-known dishes from all regions.

Examples of featured cuisines include Mindanaoan dishes that reflect pre-colonial heritage and indigenous foods from the Cordilleras in Northern Luzon.

At the forum, delegates sampled local dishes, including specialties from the Caraga region, like mudfish bacalao and chicharon pijanga. (ASC)