Chamber bats for unified plan for Davao tourism

by Prix D Banzon

Davao City — Key players of the tourism industry are asked to come up with strategic and unified plan to promote Davao City as a tourist destination.

In a resolution endorsed by the business sector during the Davao City Business Conference ‘07 to the city government it said that various tourism associations of the city must consolidate their issues and plants and create a unified master plan.

Davao City, according to the resolution has several tourism associations namely the Tourism Council of Davao City, Davao Tourism Association, Davao Tour Operators Association, Small Hotels Association in Davao City, Hotel Sales & Marketing Association, SKAL Davao, Davao Travel Agents Association.

In order for the city to become more attractive to tourists it has to have a unified tourism marketing and promotion.

The development of resorts and hotels, improvement of traffic system and transportation facilities, improved management systems and programs for improved peace and order are among some ways that would make Davao City attractive to tourists.

Meanwhile, Davao City as part of its yearly thanksgiving festival is preparing for the upcoming celebration of Kadayawan Festival where tourists both domestic and foreign come to celebrate.

Officer-in-Charge Belinda Hementera of Davao City Tourism Office said it will be a celebration of fruits, dances, flowers, music, travel and tour exposition.

She said there will still be the competition of Indak-Indak sa Dalan and the Flower Float Parade.

She said cultural presentation of the Ovu-Manuvu tribe will also be held and the participation of other tribal groups like K’lagan, Maguindanao, Tagabawa, Sama, Manobo, Tausug, Maranao, Ata.

She however said that the dance competition will be participated in mostly from Davao City while the float parade will have two competing categories for the big and small.

Those entities not joining the competition will fall under categories C and D.

Other than that she said are the Sayaw Mindanaw, the Davao River Festival, Trade Exhibit, Food and Music Fiesta, Agro-Industrial Trade Fair and Floral Arrangement Workshop and Competition.

This year’s theme is “Lumadnong Kagikan, Mabungahong Kinaiyahan, Gasa sa Kahitas-an”. (PIA XI) for Paradise Philippines Travel Blog