DOT Pushes to Institutionalize Michelin Guide Presence in the Philippines
The Philippines continues to assert its position as a global culinary destination, with the Department of Tourism (DOT) actively working to secure an institutionalized, long-term partnership with the Michelin Guide while simultaneously celebrating its selection as the host for the prestigious 2026 UN Tourism World Forum on Gastronomy Tourism. The latter was announced by the tourism agency on Wednesday, November 12.
Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco confirmed the DOT's ambition to make the annual presence of the Michelin Guide inspectors a permanent feature in the country, ideally expanding its coverage beyond Metro Manila and Cebu to include emerging culinary regions like Western Visayas and Mindanao.
"We envision that the recognition of the Philippines by the Michelin Guide is one that deserves to be institutionalized," she said. "We’re pitching for more destinations as possible. Our regional cuisine is so diverse, it really deserves to be highlighted."
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Last October 30, DOT unveiled "10,000 Plates" during the MICHELIN Guide Manila and Environs | Cebu 2026 ceremony. This food exhibition celebrates the richness, diversity, and artistry of Filipino cuisine.
Institutionalizing the Michelin Partnership
The DOT’s current partnership culminated in the highly anticipated unveiling of the inaugural Michelin Guide Philippine edition on October 30, when 108 local establishments were recognized. The new list includes one 2-star restaurant (Helm by Josh Boutwood), eight 1-star establishments, 25 Bib Gourmand restaurants, and 74 on the Guide’s Selected roster.
The partnership, which the DOT stated it had been working on for three years, has been the subject of speculation within the local restaurant and food community regarding its financial cost. It is a standard practice, after all, for certain Asian destinations to pay for the initial launch and inspection period to bring the Michelin Guide to their country. The Tourism Authority of Thailand, for example, reportedly paid some U.S. $4.4 million for a five-year partnership for its first listing starting in 2017. Then, the Korean Tourism Organization reportedly paid around U.S. $2 million to bring the guide to Seoul the prior year. The Department of Tourism supposedly has an NDA and cannot reveal the official expense of such an undertaking, but rumors have been rife that the government agency paid at least US$5 million (P300 million) for the initial partnership.
Despite the high cost, the DOT Chief expressed commitment to the investment. Jokingly reminded about the agency's limited funds, Frasco quipped during the Michelin awarding: "That's right. Please help me get a budget!". She then noted, "From over a hundred places recognized tonight [and their stars], our country deserves this investment."
The DOT, which has a proposed P3.14 billion budget for 2026 (almost unchanged from this year), sees the Michelin Guide as a critical investment for economic returns. "That is certainly one of our key performance indicators [higher tourist arrivals]. More importantly, it is the employment and livelihood that tourism generates," Frasco said. "We anticipate that with the Michelin Guide, many more people will come to the Philippines, and that will provide more opportunities for businesses to sprout up, and [for food producers] to increase their supplies to the culinary industry."
Philippines to Host Global Gastronomy Forum in 2026
Adding to the country's bid for a reputation in the global gastronomy industry, the United Nations Tourism (UN Tourism) has officially selected the Philippines to host the 10th UN Tourism World Forum on Gastronomy Tourism in 2026.
"The Philippines is the perfect venue for the 2026 UN Tourism World Gastronomy Forum — where the world can gather to share, taste, and celebrate food as a bridge between cultures," Frasco said in a statement. "More importantly, this recognition places our country at the forefront of global gastronomy and sustainable tourism." The country has previously hosted the first-ever UN Tourism Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism for Asia and the Pacific in Cebu in 2024.
UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili formally confirmed the hosting, citing the Philippines’ "demonstrated leadership, institutional readiness, and commitment" to advancing tourism through gastronomy.
F&B and Tourism in Philippine Economy
The F&B is a crucial economic driver for the Philippines. It has accounted for 8.04 percent of Tourism Direct Gross Value Added (TDGVA), according to the 2024 Philippine Tourism Satellite Account. Food and beverage also comprised 17.1 percent of inbound tourism expenditure. The tourism sector, which includes the food, culinary, and hospitality industries, employed approximately 6.75 million Filipinos in 2024.
"From the first regional gastronomy forum in Cebu to our partnership with Michelin and the growing global recognition of Filipino cuisine, our message remains clear — food is not only a feast for the palate but also a force for empowerment and sustainability," Frasco concluded.
