DAVAO CITY— Department of Tourism-XI Regional Director Tanya Rabat Tan said the Air Service Development Committee will help boost tourism in Davao Region as it seeks to strengthen existing international air linkages and create new routes.
On August 19, 2024, Davao City Mayor Sebastian Z. Duterte signed Executive Order 28 Series of 2024 which establishes the Air Service Development Committee in Davao City.
Under EO 28, the Air Service Development committee will lead in the creation and implementation of the Davao City Air Connectivity Development Program.
According to Tan the move is very relevant as multisectoral partners will be working together to help promote the existing international routes.
“And we will be working together to establish new routes.” Tan said.
Members of the committee include representatives from key national government agencies such as the Civil Aeronautics Board, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), Davao International Airport Authority, Mindanao Development Authority, Bureau of Customs, Bureau of Immigration, Department of Agriculture and Department of Trade and Industry, and the Department of Tourism-XI whose regional director serves as the committee co-chairperson
City Government is represented by the City Mayor as the co-chairperson with the heads of the City Tourism Operations Office, Davao City Investment and Promotions Center, and the City Council.
Private sector members include the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industries Inc. (DCCCII) and the Davao Tourism Association (DATA).
According to Tan, since the creation of the committee they already met in October and held a workshop in November last year.
Having more international air connectivity to the region will help boost tourism arrivals as the DOT-XI is hoping to meet the 3.5 million tourist arrival target for 2024. As of the third quarter of 2024, the region recorded 2.6 million tourists.
“I’m hoping through the efforts that we’ve been doing that we will gain a bit more international travelers because we have Samal Island and there are destinations outside Davao City,” Tan said.
The DOT is opening new eco-tourism sites which were featured in the Davao Adventure Challenge which provides participants the chance to participate in many exciting adventure activities hosted by several eco-adventure sites across the region.
They are also promoting MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions) tourism in the region.
“Based on our coordination with LGU and hotels, there have been several MICE events here. We’re hoping for more investments in that sense in 2025 because we do need more players so that we can cater to all these MICE,” Tan said.
Lowered travel advisory to help attract tourists
Meanwhile the Department of Tourism has hailed the recent move of the Japanese government to lower the travel advisory for several areas in Mindanao which included the Davao Region.
Starting Dec. 19, 2024 Japan downgraded the travel advisory for Davao Region—including Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, and Davao Occidental—from Level 2 to Level 1.
They now join current Level 1 areas Mati, Tagum, Samal, Davao, and Digos.
Level 2 means an advisory to refrain from traveling if non-essential and non-urgent; while Level 1 advises travelers to take extra care.
“This is a significant move that attests the improved safety and security in the region as an aim to bolster tourism not only in the usual destinations but most importantly in the emerging and lesser known ones,” DOT Secretary Christina Frasco said in her statement. (RGA photos DOT11)
