by Lovely A. Carillo
The whole country, including the Davao region, may have been affected by the botched hostage crisis at the Luneta in Manila, but the tourism sector believes this is just a temporary setback in their efforts to attract tourists to the country and the region.
The Davao region’s tourism prime movers made an impact during the Philippine Travel Mart held in Manila over the weekend. The event was a gathering of various tourism operators from the different regions of the Philippines, each of which was given the opportunity to promote their tourism destinations during the three-day affair.
Among the destinations being promoted during the Travel Mart were Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Palawan, Cebu, Camarines Sur, El Nido, Sagada in Ilocos, Boracay, Coron and Bicol.
“The delegation aimed to impress the Travelmart audience about the many sights and sounds of the Davao region,” Southern Philippines Tourism Council chairperson Mary Ann Montemayor said.
Davao Tourism Association’s Susan Palad said Davao City has not at all been affected by the hostage crisis which landed the country at the top of the list of countries that Chinese nationals have been advised not to visit by their government.
Montemayor said the fresh cutflowers and bountiful bignay wine that adorned the Davao pavilion made an impression on the Travel Mart visitors. Davao’s products lure visitors to the city even with the existing ban, she added.
But more than the fruits and the cheese, Palad said, the Travel Mart visitors were impressed by the fashion show which showcased the designs of Davao’s very own Boy Guinoo.
The region’s tourism players agree that what has kept Davao’s image alive and its tourism industry vibrant are the domestic tourists who keep coming the whole year round.
The hostage-taking in Manila happened a few days after the successful celebration of the Kadayawan Festival which was attended by foreign and domestic tourists. Davao City tourism office head Rizal Giovanni Aportadera said the peaceful celebration of the Kadayawan only highlighted Davao City as one of the top destinations in the country.
Another Davao pride which is expected to place the city in a favorable light among European tourists is Kublai Millan, who is one of the four Mindanaoan artists invited to present their exhibit in Belgium. Kublai is widely known not only in Davao but also all over the country, for his giant and eye-catching sculptures.
Palad said the presence of Kublai and the other Mindanao artists in Belgium will show the world that there are many good things about Davao and the Philippines which they have to personally discover.
Local and international painting exhibits usually feature Manila artists, but it is now the time for Mindanaoans like Kublai to shine. Their exhibits are now on display at the art galleries of Brenart International, which usually features the art works of ancient Priental and African as well as pre-Columbian artists.
Aside from Kublai, the other Mindanao artists featured in “Tanaw Mindanao” are Joel Geolamen, Rameer Tawasil and Abdulmari Asia Imao.
But, while the region’s tourism sector played down the negative effects of the hostage crisis, city councilor Paolo Duterte would rather ensure the safety of tourists visiting Davao City by declaring tourist spots here “gun-free”.
