Of the total arrivals, some 73,776 were locals and 2,974 were foreign tourists. 

He said Digos City alone registered 42,176 tourist arrivals in February 2024.

“Moadto sila sa atoa to visit and enjoy the places, but mouli guihapon sila.  It is very challenging for us because we want them to spend more. Tourism is an economic driver so dapat ang atong panglantaw gyud kay pangnegosyo,” Elijay said.

(They come to visit the tourist destinations and go home. It is very challenging for us because we want them to spend more. Tourism is an economic driver, which is why we have to emphasize that it is business.)

He said the resorts in the Mt. Apo loop, particularly in Barangay Tibulo, Sta. Cruz, Barangay Managa in Bansalan, and Barangay Kapatagan in Digos City remain the preferred options.

(The Lumads will have their houses rented for homestays. It is also preferred that they prepare the food so that any income will just revolve among themselves; consequently, they will be empowered.  We make sure that these things happen to them.)

He added that the direction of the province is to provide every tourist attraction with good road accessibility.

“We are currently on the level of reactivatingall potential tourist destinations in the province, based on the provincial tourism development plan,” Elijay said.

He pointed out that the Provincial Tourism Development Plan will integrate the tourism plans of every municipality in the province to guarantee a clearer direction for the tourism program.

Elijay said the Davao del Sur Tourism Office is organizing with the local government units and funding institutions to add more tourist attractions like Mt. Apo Agri-Tourism Park, Holy Land, and Sitio Talambato, Barangay Asbang in Matan-ao.

“We want to achieve more than just caving and spelunking. We want to establish experience with the family in a given tourist destination,” he said. (JSGD/PIA Davao del Sur/Thumbnail photo from Julius Paner)