ASEAN souvenir shop makes P500,000 on 1st day

Tourism Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay said international delegates have bought coffee, pili nuts and pearl accessories from the souvenir shop in the media center.

STAR / File

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Tourism (DOT) generated around P500,000 in souvenir sales from Filipino micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the cultural and creative industries at the 49th ASEAN International Media Center on Friday.

Tourism Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay said international delegates have bought coffee, pili nuts and pearl accessories from the souvenir shop in the media center.

“It’s the first day, and half a million pesos were sold (already) and these are by the delegates alone,” Angara-Mathay said.

She said delegates from Brazil and other European countries have been purchasing souvenirs from the shops.

“Somebody bought a lot of pili products because pili in their countries is said to be expensive. Pearls are a lot cheaper here, too,” the tourism chief added.

Angara-Mathay said the Department of Trade and Industry sourced the products particularly from MSMEs engaged in the cultural and creative industries.

The MSME kiosks also feature a range of locally made products, including chips, alcoholic beverages, toiletries, kitchenware, barong and other textile goods.

“DTI Sec. Cris Roque personally handpicked the items from the MSME providers who, based on her experience, would sell very well and would be very acceptable to foreign buyers,” Angara-Mathay said.

The DOT said delicacies served at the gastronomy hub of the media center are offered free to the delegates, with flavors rotating across different regions from Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao.

“We didn’t want to leave any regional cuisine out. The more you offer, people will see how diverse our culinary tradition is,” Angara-Mathay said.

She said the agency wanted to extend the Philippine brand of hospitality where there will always be food for the guests.

The gastronomy hub features delicacies served by Michelin-recognized culinary talents chefs Miggy Moreno and Francis Lacson, the DOT said.