Davao gears up to draw tourists

The Department of Tourism launched over the weekend three programs to lure more tourists to the Davao region.

“There is always something new in Davao,” DOT Regional Director Roberto Alabado III said at Friday’s launch of the “Visit Davao Fun Sale 2016,” “Let’s Meet in Davao: MICE (Meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions) Davao Program” and the “9th Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge” at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.

Alabado said the programs aim at making Davao more enjoyable for tourists. “Visitors who were here a year or two ago are up for surprises the next time they come.”

DOT 2015 data listed 1.98 million visitors to Davao, 1.8 million of them domestic tourists, nearly 5,000 overseas Filipino workers and over 121,000 foreigners. Tourist receipts totaled P26.7 billion.

“The three institutional tourism programs of the region will help position Davao as the ‘islands to highlands’ destination for adventure, beach holidays, food and culture, shopping and as a premier MICE destination,” Alabado said.

The Visit Davao Fun Sale is aimed at drawing tourists beginning Holy Week on March 25 through the summer months until May 31.

It will be a citywide sale and events extravaganza offering discounts and promos from the local tourism sector, like tours and travel, transportation and accommodations.

“It will be the first of its kind in the country involving several industries to make the experience of tourists complete and unify the branding of the city,” Alabado said.

The 9th Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge—considered the most extreme 24-hour race to the peak of the Philippines’ tallest mountain—is set for April 23 and 24.

The “Let’s Meet in Davao: MICE Davao Program” is aimed at “continuing Davao’s momentum as a top destination.

Alabado said road shows had been conducted to attract companies and organizations to Davao under the MICE program.