The Philippines’ participation in Expo 2020 Dubai will push through as three agencies are already preparing to organize a Philippine Food Festival in support of the world expo.
Originally scheduled for October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021, the Expo 2020 was scheduled to be a World Expo to be hosted by Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, but due to the COVID-19, the event was moved to October 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022.
The Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines partnered with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to organize a Philippine Food Festival as part of the country’s participation in Expo 2020 Dubai.
The Philippine Food Festival will run from December 2021 to February 2022. It aims to showcase the best of Filipino cuisine through various consumer activations as part of the overall Philippine marketing strategy for the Expo. It will cover activities, such as branding, trade, tourism, investments promotion, Business to Consumer (B2C), and the mounting of the Bangkota, the country’s national pavilion.
Activities lined-up include Filipino food sampling during the festival opening and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) National Day in December, the serving of a special Bangkota Menu in selected hotels in Dubai and the UAE, the design and fabrication of Food Boats inspired by Bangkota themes, in-store promotions in major retail supermarkets, and co-branding partnerships and promotions with Filipino restaurants.
“There is more to this food festival than just giving a glimpse of what Philippine culture is all about,” said DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat. “Through food, we are able to share our story. And isn’t it that when we share a meal together, we forge a connection? This is what we intend to manifest because food brings us closer together,” she added.
