04/08/2026
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Iloilo City's culinary and heritage tourism industry continues to gain momentum as the EATS Iloilo! program has attracted 56,307 participants, generated opportunities for 363 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and staged 30 gastronomy and tourism promotion events in its first year.
Under Mayor Raisa TreΓ±as' Rise-To-Action Framework, EATS Iloilo! reinforces Iloilo City's standing as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy by showcasing its rich food heritage, local products, culinary innovation, and heritage tourism experiences.
The program's major eventsβincluding the 2025 International Cities of Gastronomy Fest, Malikhaing Pinoy Expo 2025, the 16th National Food Showdown, Calle Real Night Market, and GastroCon Iloilo 2025βdrew thousands of visitors, strengthening tourism while creating wider market opportunities for local food producers, artisans, and entrepreneurs.
Beyond promoting local cuisine, EATS Iloilo! has enabled 363 MSMEs to showcase their products, expand their customer base, and contribute to the continued growth of Iloilo City's food and tourism sectors.
The initiative also invests in industry development through media education and the Gastro Bowl Awards, which recognize outstanding stakeholders in the local gastronomy sector.
Expanding beyond food tourism, the program has also enriched Iloilo City's heritage offerings through its first two period toursβthe Spanish Era Tour and the Commonwealth Period Tourβwhich welcomed a combined 120 participants. It further strengthened heritage tourism by helping capacitate the Celso Ledesma House and Casa Javelona as tourism destinations and by forging partnerships with travel and tour operators to ensure the long-term sustainability and promotion of these experiences.
"Our food tells the story of our people, our culture, and our city. Through EATS Iloilo!, we are not only preserving that heritage but also creating more opportunities for our local entrepreneurs, tourism stakeholders, and communities to grow together. This is how we continue to build Iloilo City's reputation as a world-class gastronomy and heritage destination," Mayor Raisa said. (Iloilo City PIO)
