Davao Norte promotes tourism “naturally”

by JMD Abangan

TAGUM CITY  — Tourism in Davao del Norte is bound to take a leap as major industry players have agreed to promote the province using a catch phrase “Naturally Davao del Norte.”

In an interview, Provincial Tourism Council president Alma Uy noted the potential of Davao de Norte to excel as an eco-tourism destination because “its endowed with beauty of nature.”

Coming out from a planning workshop with members of Hugpong Dabaw Hanas sa Torismo (HUDAHATO), Uy positioned municipalities of the province with their respective potential as a tourist destination.

The Island Garden City of Samal a known tourist destination with its pristine white beaches among its come-on; Panabo City for its wide banana plantations; Carmen as a Second World War historical site where Dabawenyo guerillas together with American soldiers held in barangay Ising the last frontier of defense against Japanese forces; Tagum City as a Musikahan destination; Asuncion as a Kayaking destination; Kapalong as Cavers’ capital; San Isidro as a chocolate hub and cavers’ paradise; Sto. Tomas for its ecological park; Braulio E. Dujali— New Corella for its Panas watershed; and Talaingod for its cultural village.

Davao del Norte will be making use of big brother-small brother concept of developing tourism industry, whereby each local government units will be complementing each other.

Citing as an instance, Uy said Tagum City will be spreading out tourist visits to nearby municipalities of Asuncion, Kapalong and Talaingod during annual celebration of Musikahan Festival in March.

“Because Tagum doesn’t have the beauty of nature that these municipalities can offer to our visitors,” she said.

As president of the Regional Tourism Council of Davao Region, Uy said Davao del Norte would serve as a role model for other provinces in the Region in terms of advancing local tourism.

“We will encourage other provinces to do the same,” she said.

Meanwhile, HUDAHATO president Edna Parcon said tourism officers in the Davao del Norte sought to strengthen their organization.

Among their thrusts is to seek strong backing from their local chief executives of their tourism initiatives.

They are also appealing to LGU executives to officially designate a tourism officer and set up a separate tourism office to take on tourism related concerns, Parcon said.

Among their planned projects and activities are to come up with a cultural festival through the assistance of the National Commission on Culture and Arts (NCCA) and to have an inventory of tourism facilities and tourism-related establishments. (PIA)