SouthCot Tourism Trade Fair launches in Koronadal

 

The Provincial Government of South Cotabato through the Arts, Culture, Tourism, and Museum (ACTM) Development Unit opened the Tourism Investment Product Display and Trade Fair on September 15, 2021, on the fourth floor of KCC Mall of Marbel. The event is in line with the celebration of National Tourism Month with the theme “Tourism for Inclusive Growth.” The event runs from September 15-30, 2021.

It is participated by the 10 municipalities and 1 city of the said province, as well as Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL) of the South Cotabato Rehabilitation and Detention Center (SCRDC) and SOCOTECO I. The activity highlights the LGUs' One Town One Product (OTOP). The provincial government through ACTM took the initiative to support the tourism stakeholders in South Cotabato in this time of the pandemic.

There are twelve (12) 3-meter-by-3-meter booths installed on the fourth floor, Cinema Lobby area of KCC Mall, where the participants sell their local products to the public.

“This event helps tourism-related businesses and establishments to showcase their products. Even though this is a small help, it has a big impact on them,” ACTM Tourism Operations Officer I Francisco Cerbo Jr. said.

“This event also demonstrates our unity as tourism officers in South Cotabato. It is a venue to present our tourism outputs and initiatives from our respective LGUs. We highlight our best products from local delicacies to tourism destinations,” Association of Tourism Officers of South Cotabato President and Tboli Tourism Officer Rodel Hilado said.

They hope that this event will be showcased to its neighboring provinces and cities in the region as a way to move forward in this time of the pandemic.

“This event is somehow our preparation for the ‘new normal’ set up. The tourism sector has been challenged by the pandemic. We need to adapt in this new situation,” Hilado said.

On September 27-28, ACTM will conduct training, in partnership with the Department of Tourism XII, called ‘Filipino Brand of Service Excellence Training’. The culmination program of the Tourism Month Celebration will be on September 30. There will be final judging for the LGU booths of Tourism Investment Product Display and Trade Fair; an oath-taking ceremony of Tourism Officers and Tourism Council; and a Hairshow featuring Olai Estrabon in collaboration with Sofia Jude Palmejar.

“On behalf of the provincial government of South Cotabato, I invite the public to visit the trade fair and support our local entrepreneurs. We hope that this event will help boost the economic activity of the province,” Cerbo said.