DOT to forego Madrid Fusión Manila 2018

The Department of Tourism (DOT) will not be pushing forward with the Madrid Fusión Manila (MFM) this year, citing the lack of time in preparing for the event.

In a press conference in Manila on Wednesday, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said the bidding for the event has yet to begin which will make it difficult to hold it on the earlier scheduled September.

"May bidding pa. Hindi pa nagsta-start 'yung bidding. September dapat ang Madrid Fusion, it's not enough time. I said we lack time," she said.

The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) in April said the MFM 2018 was scheduled to push through on September 25 to 29.

Given the bidding, Puyat said the government would have to rush the process, something which she said she is not amenable to.

"Tama lang dapat, 'wag pilitin. The organizers agreed that the fourth year was supposed to be this year, the fourth year will be next year," she said.

Aside from the bidding, Puyat said it would also be hard to secure a venue for the event as the previous location has already been booked during the set dates.

"Wala na 'yung SMX Convention. Walang available venue," she said.

Puyat noted, however, that the event will push through next year.

"Dapat fourth year ngayon, the fourth year will not be this year but next year," she said, noting that she is looking at the possibility of extending the event and adding more participants.

According to its website, "Madrid Fusión Manila (MFM) is the first and only Asian edition of Madrid Fusión, the most important gastronomy event in the world, celebrated annually in Madrid, Spain."

The event includes the Madrid Fusión Manila International Gastronomy Congress, Fusión Manila International Gastronomy Expo, and the Flavors of the Philippines. — LA, GMA News