Davao expects 10% hike in tourist arrivals

DAVAO CITY , Philippines   â€“ Tourists arrival in Davao is expected to increase by 10 percent in 2013 from 1.2 million in 2012 as the Department of Tourism (DOT) allocates more funds to support the province’s tourism-related infrastructure projects.

DOT Region 11 director Arturo Boncato Jr. said the growth would be driven by Davao’s aggressive efforts to promote the province as the country’s premier convention destination.

Boncato said most of their tourists are domestic. “Our tourism comes from 95 percent local and the remaining from the international market,” he said.

He said the optimism of higher tourism turnover for this year could also be driven by the continuing efforts of the local government to ensure the security and safety of tourists in the province.

“Our mayor (Rodrigo Duterte) has set a policy direction which would promote Davao not only as a prime convention destination, but also an alternative tourist attraction, “ he said.

Boncato said they are also making necessary preparations for Davao to be included in the number of provinces to host the upcoming big tourism events such as the APEC in 2015.

Foreign tourists that visit Davao usually come from the United States, Korea and Japan.

Boncato said they hope to capture some Chinese tourists also in the near future.

According to Boncato, they are expecting Davao’s infrastructure tourism budget to be jacked up to P1.8 billion next year from this year’s P1.5 billion.

In fact, he said Davao City has instituted security reforms which would pave the way for the implementation of high technology gadgets and systems that would help ensure the safety of not only the tourists, but also its constituents.