“Majority of the exhibitors offer outbound packages, but there are travel agents who would sell within the region tour packages,” Montano said.
She added that Davao region is a popular destination for domestic tourists and those coming for MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, Exhibits).
“If there is something that we can develop for tourism, that is, we need to attract more international tourists,” Montano said.
Tourism arrivals for the first half of 2023 consisted of 97 percent domestic tourists and 3 percent foreign nationals.
Department of Tourism (DOT) XI Regional Director Tanya Rabat Tan said the region will be very busy with tourism activities this 2024, and their main program is the Davao Adventure Challenge, a year-long tourism campaign highlighting the region’s natural beauty and eco-adventure escapades.
“Davao has a lot of offerings in terms of various adventure activities. We have a very vast area, and Mt. Apo is located here in Davao. We also have the highest waterfalls; we will be embarking on this project to highlight these attractions,” Rabat Tan said.
She added that the region is busy with activities, which will bring in more tourists.
Rabat Tan cited the Ironman 70.3 event and the Kadayawan Festival which will be both held in Davao City this August.
She said the promotional efforts of their private sector partners, such as the DTAA and its Davao Mega Travel Sale, will greatly help in tourism promotions.
Rabat Tan said she is confident that the region will meet and surpass the 2023 tourism target of 2.8 million visitors.The DOT-XI regional director said the year-end data is not yet available but based on recent statistics they are confident of reaching the 2023 target.
Based on June 2023 tourism arrival data, there were about 1.8 million tourists in Davao Region. (RGA/PIA Davao)