In line with the celebration of the National Tourism Month this September with the theme, “Tourism for Inclusive Growth”, the Provincial Government of South Cotabato through the Arts, Culture, Tourism, and Museum (ACTM) Unit, launches the Tourism Investment Product Display and Trade Fair featuring the different products of the province’s ten towns and the lone city which formally opens on Wednesday, at the 4th Floor KCC Mall of Marbel.
The activity aims to help local artisans and tourism-related businesses sell their products.
Coincided with the formal opening is the first judging of the Booth Competition.
The Board of Judges includes Mr. Jim Raborar of ATI, Ms. Rhea Hallarsis of DTI, and Mr. Armin Hautea of DOT.
Prizes await the winners of this competition. The Top 3 booths will get a cash prize of Php15,000 each. The rest of the participants will get Php10,000 each.
There are also special awards, such as the Most visited booth, Bet Design, Best in production Display, and Highest Gross sales.
Based on the Criteria of the competition, the Display Area gets 40 % with the following components: 10% for Cleanliness and proper waste management, 10% for the informativeness of socio-economic profile, and 20 % for the overall impact of the landscape and productive value.
Another 60 percent goes to the Product display which includes 10% for the quality and variety of display, 10 % for the sustainability of Product display, 10% packaging and labeling and 30% declared One Town, One Product (OTOP)/Tourism Product and Marketability.
The product display and trade fair is until September 30.
Other activities for the month include Filipino Brand of Service Excellence Training in partnership with the Department of Tourism XII, online selling of products, and the Hair and fashion gala of the award-winning master hair and fashion stylists.
These activities prove that despite the pandemic, the tourism sector is still weaving through.
Those who want to visit are advised to follow minimum health protocols.