Western Visayas travel fair brings products to tourists

MANILA, Philippines — The provinces of Antique and Guimaras are set to bring their local products closer to tourists as they are slated to host four more editions of the Philippine Harvest fair next year

On the opening of the seventh edition of the Philippine Harvest Friday, Department of Tourism (DOT) Western Visayas director Helen Catalbas said the two provinces would be highlighted in future food and travel fairs.

“We have allocated appropriate amount in the 2020 budget of DOT Region 6 and as soon as the President will have approved the 2020 budget, we can go all go all for it,” Catalbas said.

She said Antique and Guimaras would hold editions of the fair on March, May, August and November next year.

Philippine Harvest is a premiere food and travel fair is a partnership between the DOT and the Store Specialists Incorporated Group (SSI). The fair is located at the Central Square Mall in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.

The seventh edition of the food and travel fair put the spotlight on the province of Antique.

 “For this edition of Philippine Harvest, the spotlight will be put on our indigenous textile. These fabrics made from cotton, piña, and abaca are important part of our farmers’ harvest alongside the crops and livestock,” Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat earlier said.

More than 10 weaving associations paraded the famous patadyong or multi-functional wrap-around cloth made of cotton blends in plaid pattern as well as handwoven scarf, shawl, bags, t-shirts, shoes, hand-painted pillows, bariw and banig bags, place mats, carpets, hot pods, runner, embroidered products, and accessories were featured at the fair.

“Part of our sustainable tourism advocacy is supporting local artisans, protecting heirloom traditions, and preserving our rich heritage for the future generations to come,” Puyat said.