A GROUP of Cebu exporters and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will soon launch a store to showcase locally made products targetted for tourists.
DTI Regional Director Asteria Caberte said the department set a P1 million budget to finance “Tindahang Pinoy.”
The store will be operated by the Cebu-Gift, Toys and Houseware (Cebu-GTH) Foundation Inc.
“We have already met and agreed to be partners here,” Caberte said.
Both parties recognize the potential of tourists as customers and marketing influences.
Cebu exporters who focused their marketing efforts abroad in the past, are taking another look at tourists, especially after the demand for exports declined with the global economic crisis.
“Now they see the potential. Tourists that come here are already a captured market. All we need to do is show them what we have here. The Tindahang Pinoy is what we thought of as the best way to do it,” Caberte said.
The store will feature products of members of the Cebu-GTH Foundation which would appeal to visitors as souvenir items.
The concept is not new, as the Philippine International Trade Corp. had plans of setting up such the same shops for Cebu and Manila in the past, said Caberte.
The store will rent space in a location in Cebu with high tourist traffic.
“We have set July but I don’t think it’s doable by that time. The shop will be within Cebu in an area that’s very accessible and convenient for tourists,” Caberte said.
As soon as the shop is ready, they will ask Cebu travel and tour operators to include it in their itinerary.
For a start, foundation members have priority to display their products in the store to ensure product quality.
Non-members who are interested can discuss and egotiate with GTH about participating since the foundation has guidelines to ensure the quality of merchandise on display. Reporter Aileen Garcia-Yap