THE Department of Tourism (DOT) in Western Visayas said ensuring standards has to be prioritized in order to further promote the already famous chicken inasal of Bacolod City.
Mayor Evelio Leonardia earlier proposed for a uniform recipe for all local restaurants, hotels and other food establishments in his bid to promote traceability and strengthen the identity of the city's chicken inasal.
The Hotel and Restaurant Association of Negros Occidental (HRANO), however, said the move is unlikely to happen. The group claimed, "it would be bad for local business."
For Artemio Ticar, DOT-Western Visayas administrative officer and designated tourism area development head for Negros Occidental, told VoxPop Bacolod on Tuesday, May 8, that the agency is more concerned of standards especially in terms of the services provided by the establishments.
"Regardless of the recipe, the chicken inasal being offered to tourists should be compliant to standards including cleanliness, proper food handling, and food safety practices," Ticar said.
The DOT recognized the huge contribution of chicken inasal to the tourism industry not only of Bacolod City and Negros Occidental but also Western Visayas.
The food offering has given Bacolod its unique identity, setting apart the Negros Occidental capital city from other tourism destinations in the country, Ticar adds.
Given such popularity of the city's chicken inasal, Ticar said they do not see a need for a uniform recipe to further promote the product.
Though, the agency respects both the proposal of the mayor and the stand of the business sector.
"But for us, what is a more effective way to further promote the product is ensuring that every visitors coming to the city is enjoying the chicken inasal without experiencing food poisoning or any other health-related trouble," he added.
The DOT also said that culinary tourism is very strong in Negros Occidental. In fact, it is one of the major strengths of the province's tourism industry.
Ticar said food also promotes the historical and cultural value of a destination. Recipes, for instance, are "practices" being handed down to different generations thus, it is something that should be preserved.
