Department of Tourism Region XI director Roberto P. Alabado disclosed on Tuesday during the business forum at DermPath, SM City Davao that three eco-sporting and adventure activities will be in-line for the annual Visit Davao Fun Sale set on April 16 to May 31, 2017: skim-boarding, Boulder Face Challenge and triathlon.
“Skim-boarding competition sa Mati. Meron tayong triathlon. Yung Boulder Face sa Mt. Apo,” said Alabado.
In 2016, the Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge 2016 was cancelled by the organizers after a forest fire devastated a part of the mountain, considered the highest peak in the Philippines standing at 2,954 meters above sea level.
With the forest fire still raging, organizers decided the safety of competitors was a prime consideration.
Still under rehabilitation, a portion of the mountain will be used solely for the event as other parts will still be cordoned off from other tourists.
“Magrerequest kami ng special permit from PAMB (Mt. Apo Natural Park Protected Area Management Board),” said Alabado.
Meanwhile, the triathlon will where participants will swim from Davao City towards Samal Island where the rest of the competition will be done.
According to Alabado, the cross-channel component of the triathlon will be the first cross-channel event in the country.
Still uncertain of the number of participants, the regional director expects a substantial number of tourists to come and join the VDFS.
VDFS is an annual event organized by DOT-Davao Region together with VDFS Execom, Davao City Tourism Operations Office, Local Governance Support Program for Local Economic development and the private and public tourism sectors of Davao City, Island Garden City of Samal and Davao del Norte.
It offers sales, promos, discounted eco-tours and packages of hotels and accommodations, dining, adventure, shopping and relaxation for the tourists.
