by Klaus Doring
Yes, it’s as sure as the Amen after each prayer: Davao as well as Mindanao need more promotion in the tourist sector. And I am glad to announce: IT WILL BE!
I learned in an interview with regional director Sonia Garcia of the Department of Tourism, Region 11- Mindanao that she and another group will participate in the International Tourism Fair (Internationale Tourismusboerse ITB) 2010 to be held on March 10-15, 2009 in Berlin,Germany. The ITB is considered the world’s leading travel and tourism show and can very well be a good opportunity for accredited tourism industry partners to meet with their potential business counterparts during the event. I have visited this fair almost every year. Many times I really was disappointed because nothing had been mentioned about Davao City and the whole of Mindanao so far.
Sonia Garcia will be joined by Philip S. Dizon (Davao Crocodile Park and Wildwater Adventure), Camela S. Infiesto (Tribu K’ Mindanawan Cultural Village), Jeanne April Kroell (Hof Gorei Beach Resort), Wanda Teo (Mt. Apo Travel & Tours) Ruben Neri (Surelite Travel & Tours) as well as Maria Corazon Sanga and Katherine S. Owens (Turismo Davao INTAS), weaver Sonita Manangka and dancer Jelita Lamanilao. Joining them also from the staff of DOT 11 is Judy G. Lagura, cultural village coordinator for DOT Region 11).
Happy trip and good luck in promoting Davao City and the whole Region 11, which has indeed much, much more to offer than ONLY sea, sand and white beaches… .
Not only tourists are very much welcome here. In an interview with Philippine Retirement Authority regional chief Jaime B. Llames, I learned that the PRA is looking to promote Davao City and its surroundings as an ideal retirement haven despite the spate of negative publicity about the region in recent months. Currently, there are 300 PRA-registered retirees in Davao City, from China, South Korea, Europe and the US. Of course, the low cost of living and the intact environment are among the primary reasons why the retirees chose to live here. I am also glad to know that more and more German nationals are coming in.
MABUHAY!
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The end of this week’s column: British officials have echoed US-President Obama’s call for bank reform. Many in Germany and the European Union (EU), however, are unwilling to join the chorus. They say these plans are counter productive, short-sighted and populist. Well, who said Obama is having an easy time of it?
Email me at doringklaus@gmail.com or visit www.germanexpatinthephilippines.blogspot.com or follow me in Facebook.
