The world is becoming ever smaller and more accessible for the Dabawenyo traveller. With many airlines and travel agencies giving adventurers the best deals and choicest destinations one can get overwhelmed with the many options out there.
I was able to visit the opening of the 10th Davao Mega Travel Sale organised by the Davao Travel Agencies Association last February 15 and I can now say that we Dabawenyos are now spoiled for choices. With direct international flights, more visa-free or no appointment visa processing options, the world is truly our oyster.
I talked to some travel agents and airline executives and here are some of their suggested destinations:
Joy Loyola|DTAA president
Beyond the international destinations, Dabawenyos should learn to discover more of the Philippines, not just the big cities but also the small and quaint towns around them.
An international destination which we should consider more is China, with two airlines flying direct from Davao to points in China, there is really a world out there to be explored and experienced.
L. Ravindran|Manager-SilkAir Mindanao
Dabawenyos should fly to Europe now with SilkAir’s better connectivity from Davao to majority of Europe. They can take a flight out of Davao in the afternoon, transit in Singapore Changi Airport for just 55 minutes, and be off to Europe arriving the next day.
Christine Bangayan|Skyteam Services Inc.
Singapore is always a good place to visit. Cebu Pacific’s direct flight from Davao has a good schedule to the lion city for a weekend getaway. The food in Singapore is really good and is actually not expensive, especially when you eat at Singapore’s many hawker stalls.
For the more adventurous, you can go visit Bintan Island in Indonesia to enjoy the beach. There re also many hiking trails within Singapore that are really worth the experience.
Ruth Velasco |Angel Garnet Travel and Tours
For me, Dabawenyos should visit Siargao and Bohol more thanks to the new flights available. The beaches of both destinations are truly amazing.
As an international destination, I would still suggest a visit to Japan. As a tour operator, I was able to visit Japan eight times in 2018, but I still find many things to do. From their food, to shopping, there is always something interesting in Japan
Early Day Uyking|Trip Factory
Personally, Dabawenyo travellers should visit more cultural places like Cambodia and Myanmar. They may be a little off the beaten track but the culture, architecture and food of these countries create unique travel memories which you do not usually see in urbanised places.
Pia Lourdes Partoza-Montano |Pars Travel and Tours
Places like the Czech republic, Hungary, Spain and Portugal are destinations for those travellers who want to go on a religious journey. Another hot destination is the Holy Land focusing on Israel, Egypt and Turkey whose visas are easy for travellers to apply for.
You can still catch the last day of the 10th Davao Mega Travel Sale at the Activity Center of the Ayala Abreeza Mall on February 17 and avail of huge discounts from airline partners AirAsia, Cathay Dragon, Cebu Pacific; hotel partners Seda Hotels, Waterfront Hotels, Club Samal, Pearl Farm; as well as instalment deals from BPI Credit Cards.
