MISAMIS ORIENTAL (PIA) – The recent downgrade of the Japan Travel Advisory for Mindanao from Level 2 to Level 1 may present new opportunities for business and sports tourism in Misamis Oriental.
Level 2 means Japanese nationals should “refrain from traveling if non-essential and non-urgent,” while Level 1 means they should only “take extra care.” This change may help attract more Japanese visitors to the region, particularly for golf and diving, which are among the key offerings in Misamis Oriental.
Department of Tourism (DOT)-10 Director Marie Elaine Salvaña-Unchuan highlighted that Japanese tourists are increasingly interested in golf, business, and diving.
“Actually, our golf tourism, which is also now a priority of Secretary Christina Frasco, has been getting a lot of tourists,” said Unchuan. She shared that DOT-10 is in discussions with Pueblo de Oro Golf Club, Del Monte Golf Club, and Patag Golf Club to develop programs and activities tailored to the Japanese market.
“Tapos yung mga divers din, moanhi na dinhi (Then there are divers too, they also come here). So, I think the products that the Japanese are looking for, we just need to enhance more so that they will be coming more often,” Unchuan said.
In addition to these key activities, DOT-10 is also working on promoting other tourism experiences, including the revival of Cagayan de Oro’s whitewater rafting. “We’re promoting whitewater rafting. In most of our videos for the region, it is being featured,” Unchuan stated.
There are also ongoing efforts to address environmental concerns surrounding quarrying in the Cagayan de Oro River, a vital attraction for the province.
The Misamis Oriental Flight 387 Shrine in Claveria and Gingoog City is also being explored for potential tourism development. “I think we’ve turned something of a tragedy into a positive thing. It will help families and enhance the site, honoring those who have passed,” said Unchuan.
In 2024, Misamis Oriental and the other provinces of northern Mindanao welcomed 2,602,956 tourists, generating P8.1 billion in revenue and supporting 670,000 tourism-related jobs. Although most visitors were domestic, the region recorded an increase in foreign tourist arrivals, further boosting its tourism profile. (SAYU/PIA-10/Misamis Oriental)
