"We can disagree on politics but we can always go along on meals," Puyat said, citing Department of Tourism data that showed food comprised one-third of the expenditure of travellers.
Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat says food is key to promoting Philippine tourism.
"We can disagree on politics but we can always go along on meals," Puyat said, citing Department of Tourism data that showed food comprised one-third of the expenditure of travellers.
"Now that I am in DOT, I'd like to continue our advocacy in promoting local Filipino cuisine, for food will always be one of the things considered in the places you visit. I'm excited to taste samples from the Bicol region,” she said.
“Local chefs make this possible. Try out the different cuisine and delicacies of the different provinces, travel around the country, make it to the top of your bucket list, tag it to your friends and we can see that it is more fun to eat here in the Philippines," she added.
Puyat, who served as agriculture undersecretary before being appointed to the top tourism post, said she has been promoting food tourism for more than a decade and it is something she will continue to do.
She is one of the staunch supporters of Madrid Fusion Manila, the Asian edition of the international gastronomy congress Madrid Fusion.
Puyat was credited for “saving” the event after it was nearly scrapped by then Tourism Promotions Board COO Cesar Montano.