A new year means new horizons, new adventures and new experiences. 2018 saw the introduction of ever more flights to and from the Davao International Airport. We saw Cebu Pacific connected Davao to Bohol and Philippine Airlines introducing flights to Siargao, cutting travel time from Davao to the Philippine surfing capital from almost 10 hours to just 50 minutes.
This year is a landmark for Dabawenyo travellers at it saw the launch of many international flights adding to the daily Davao-Singapore service by SilkAir, which will be rebranded as Singapore Airlines soon. Leading the charge is Cathay Dragon with its four-times a week direct service from Davao to Hong Kong, connecting Durianburg to Asia’s World City.
Another new international service is the twice weekly flights from Davao to Jinjiang, Fujian, China via Xiamen Air, connecting Davao directly to the Chinese Mainland where most Chinese-Filipinos can trace their ancestry to.
Thanks to the new flights that connect Durianburg to more of the Philippines and the rest of the world, Dabawenyo travellers can now look forward to 2019 with more reasons to stretch their wings. Here are some destinations I believe will be popular in the coming year.
Bohol
With many Dabawenyos tracing their roots back to of Bohol, the island province is sure to get their fair share of travellers from Davao. Sights to see include the famous Chocolate Hills and the Lobok River.
A tour of the province’s many historical Churches is sure to inspire and awe with their unique designs and stories. For the beach lover, Bohol has Alona beach on Panglao Island which is one of the Philippine’s most popular white sand beaches.
Siargao
With its surf culture, rock pools and vibrant beach culture, Siargao is now making waves as one of the best islands in the world. Thanks to Philippine Airlines, what used to be a long gruelling drive and ferryboat ride from Davao is now just a quick plane ride on the airline’s new Bombardier Q400 planes.
Hong KongThe former British Crown Colony is still one of the best destinations for first-time travellers and thanks to the new direct flights offered by Cathay Dragon, I see Hong Kong rising in popularity among Dabawenyos.
Compact and armed with an efficient mass-transit system, Hong Kong easy to go-around and explore. The locals speak and understand English and the food scene is one of the best in the world.
While many visit Hong Kong for its outstanding shopping malls, the territory also has many hipster offerings such as its many night markets in Mongkok, local markets in Sham Shui Po, and bike and hiking trails all-around.
For families, there are a myriad of museums, and theme parks such as Hong Kong Disneyland and Ocean Park which allow for fun and family bonding.
Singapore
While most Filipinos living in Luzon consider Hong Kong as their first overseas travel, many Dabawenyos can say that Singapore is where they first got their passport stamped. From the gleaming shopping malls lining Orchard Road to exciting theme parks, Singapore definitely has a lot to offer for travellers.
Going beyond the usual shopping areas are places such as the Dempsey Hills, Little India and Bugis where one can immerse in Singapore’s diverse local culture. For the art fanatic, the place to be at is Singapore’s spanking new National Art Gallery which hosts the largest collection of SouthEast Asian masters.
China
China in the past seems so far and distant thanks to the need to do multiple transfers before arriving to your destination as well as the need to have your passport sent to Manila or Cebu for visa processing. With the opening of a new consulate here in Davao however, travel to China’s megacities such as Beijing, Shanghai and historical destinations such as Tibet is now so much easier.
Flying to China’s many destinations is also easier too thanks to Cathay Dragon which boasts the largest network across China from Hong Kong. There is also Xiamen Air which just launched their twice-weekly service between Davao and Jinjiang in Fujian, China. The new service connects Durianburg to the home province of most Chinese-Filipino families.
Japan
Thanks to an easier visa process in the past three-years, Japan is definitely on the radar for Dabawenyos. Although there are no direct flights, there are now options to get to Tokyo or Osaka through Cebu and its spanking new international airport which, by itself, is also a reason to travel.
There is much to explore in Tokyo and Osaka with their vibrant shopping streets, massive department stores, theme parks and aquariums. Japan is a virtual food heaven with high-quality dining options ranging from affordable to insanely expensive.
Going beyond the Japan’s main cities, Philippine Airlines just recently launched a direct service between Manila and Sapporo on Japan’s Northern island of Hokkaido. Famous for its winter festival, Sapporo is the ultimate White Christmas one can dream of. Summertime in Sapporo is marked by colorful flower fields thanks to its relatively cool and mild climate and is also worth a visit.
Taiwan
My last destination to look-out for in 2019 is Taiwan. With the extension of visa-free privileges for Filipino passport holders, I see more Filipinos visiting Taiwan. Although, again like Japan, there are no direct flights to Taiwan from Davao, the trip is well-worth the effort as Taiwan has one of the best street food scenes in Asia with all of its major cities hosting multiple night markets to explore.
Shoppers will love exploring Taipei with its many underground shopping arcades, vibrant shopping districts, and giant department stores. It also helps that the territory is also tax free, just bring your passport along while you shop to avail of tax free privileges.
For a more authentic taste of Taiwan, I would suggest a visit to the Southern port city of Kaohsiung, a two-hour high speed rail ride to the south of Taipei or via a direct connection from Manila via AirAsia. With its historical forts, old temples, massive pagodas and a vibrant art scene, Kaohsiung and its neighbour, Tainan, serve as the cultural and artistic heart of Taiwan.
And with that, I say happy new year and may 2019 bring more travels to everyone!
