The inaugural Terra Madre Asia and Pacific (TMAP), held from Nov. 19 to 23 in this highly urbanized city, gathered about 75,000 visitors and generated PHP46.59 million in total sales.

Organizers released the figures Thursday as they touted the international slow food event, which was attended by about 2,500 delegates from 25 countries, as an “overwhelming success.”

“These figures are based on consolidated reports of actual sales over the five-day period. The figure only covers event-related data,” TMAP 2025 executive director Reena Gamboa said in a statement.

She added that the income from hotel bookings, restaurant sales, tourist arrivals, and other tourist-related activities is calculated separately.

The total amount was generated from sales in major events, such as street food exhibitions, restaurant and bar takeovers, slow food travel, taste workshops, and donations from coffee and slow drinks.

The highest earner was the street food exhibition along the North Capitol Road, which drew 50,000 visitors to the booths of 107 exhibitors, while an additional 25,000 in foot traffic was recorded for events inside the Capitol Lagoon.

“We are proud to have formed bonds with farmers, fisherfolk, food producers, and cooks within the Asia-Pacific region to ensure good, clean, and fair food for all,” Gamboa said.

TMAP 2025 co-chair Ramon Uy Jr. said exhibitors of the 18th Negros Island Organic Farmers Festival, which was held concurrently on South Capitol Road, earned about PHP1.4 million from the slow food event.

He noted that chefs, mixologists, slow food communities, and Cooks Alliance members sourced local ingredients from organic farmers and fisherfolk.

“These ingredients were then used in food and drinks at the taste workshop, cooking demonstrations, community cook-off, street food exhibition, and slow drinks. With Terra Madre, we have put Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, and the Philippines in the global gastronomy map,” Uy said.

Terra Madre, initiated by the Slow Food movement, promotes sustainable and traditional food production and brings together farmers, chefs, academics, and consumers to support biodiversity, food sovereignty, and a more sustainable food system.

The first regional edition in the Asia-Pacific, hosted by Bacolod City and Negros Occidental, received notable support from the national government, particularly from the Department of Tourism, Department of Agriculture, Department of Trade and Industry, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

In her earlier message, Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco said Bacolod City and Negros Occidental are “more than scenic destinations, they are vibrant hubs of agriculture and marine resources.”

“By showcasing these resources through tourism, we provide local communities with markets, income and recognition, while reinforcing the country’s identity as a destination where culture, nature and gastronomy come together,” she said. (PNA)