DTI-7 to help boost Cebu's souvenir industry

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-7) is set to intensify the development of the souvenir industry across Central Visayas to empower the players in the industry and take advantage of the opportunity offered by the growing tourism sector.

DTI-7 regional director Asteria Caberte said the department has existing programs that are designed to help the souvenir industry players

She said DTI’s product development programs is being tweaked for the souvenir makers. In fact, it is now becoming a niche for the GTH (Gifts, Toys and Houseware) makers, including exporters.

DTI Cebu provincial director Nelia Navarro likewise said that development programs for the souvenir industry are also being incorporated in the existing programs under DTI such as the SPIN or Subcontracting Partners for Innovation, and the LinCs or the learning/sharing session on Leveraging Industries.

Both Caberte and Navarro vowed to intensify the development of the souvenir industry in Cebu and through the region.

Cebu as the tourism capital should have a good and strong souvenir industry, Navarro said.

Professionalizing and developing the souvenir making sector has been the far-cry of some successful souvenir companies, such as the Cebuano owned Island Souvenirs Incorporated.

Island’s Group president and chief executive officer (CEO) Jay Aldeguer said in an interview that this sleeping giant-industry should be given utmost attention by the government, in terms of providing capacitating mechanism to empower the small or micro players in the industry.

“My observation is that the souvenir, not only in the Philippines but even internationally, is perceived as a cottage-type industry. It hasn’t evolved into anything," Aldeguer said in an earlier interview.

Aldeguer believes that there is huge potential in the souvenir business, especially in tourism hotspots like Cebu.

About 80 percent of the tourism spending goes to souvenirs. The Philippines generates an average of P31-million tourism-related revenues.

If proper support can be given to the players, directing them to higher business perspective, the souvenir industry in Cebu could become one of the largest industries.

The Philippines, although its tourism industry is maturing, support industries especially the tourism retail sector should go with the maturity of the industry, in such that prices of goods shall have uniform prices, regardless of who is buying, he stressed.

Navarro said that aside from developing other sub-sectors in the creative sector, such as visual, music, advertising, graphic design, film, architecture, the souvenir industry will also be given attention. — (FREEMAN)