Although agriculture contributed most of the income of Davao del Norte to the tune of Php14.1 billion in the calendar year 2007, the tourism sector was able to contribute Php274.88 million, with Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS) accounting for 85%. The service sector contributed Php1.673 billion while the industries sector chipped in with Php269.29 million.
The tourism industry of the province consists of a) beach tourism, b) agri-tourism, and c) eco-cultural tourism. The three major areas in the province identified as tourism destinations are IGaCos, boasting of white sand beaches, diving sites and water sports; 2) the vast banana plantations on the mainland (agri-tourism), and 3) a highland journey in nature with waterfalls, springs, lakes in the municipalities of Kapalong, New Corella, San Isidro and Talaingod—the Ata-Manobo cultural village in the highland.
Based on the Department of Tourism (DOT) Region 11 report showing the trend of tourist/visitor occupants in various hotels, inns and lodging houses in the Davao region for calendar years 2002-2006, Davao del Norte is next to Davao City in getting the biggest number of visitors as contributed by the Island Garden City of Samal. Another DOT 11 report shows the yearly distribution of travelers in the region per province/city, IGaCoS visitors increased from 20,427 in 2003 to 46,046 in 2007.
In 2009, total hotel occupancy in Davao del Norte was 17,329; Filipinos made up 5,216 while foreigners comprised 12,113. The total Tourism-related and tourism-oriented establishments in the province increased from 905 in 2007 to 1,068 in 2009. Establishments that are tourism-related include restaurants, transportation, communication, accommodation and recreation. Tourism-oriented establishments are resorts, destinations and conventions.
Known as the “Banana Capital of the Philippines,” the province’s tourism marketing position slogan is “From Island to Highland Adventure Destination.” Its preferred investment areas are agri/aqua development and eco-tourism support facilities.
With the tag line “The Heart of Davao… A Destination by Choice,” Davao del Norte has a diverse cultural heritage and tradition featuring five major Indigenous Peoples Tribes (Ata-Manobo, Manguangan, Mandaya, Dibabawon, Sama) and one (1) Muslim tribe (K’lagan) and Christian settlers.
In the three cities, the destination attractions are: in Tagum City, the K’lagan Tribal Village, Banana Beach /Hijo Plantation; in Panabo City are Panabo Mariculture Park, Panabo Museum and Sea Port; and in IGaCoS are the Monfort Bat Cave, Hagimit Waterfalls, Maxima Waterfun, Blue Jazz and Pearl Farm.
In eight municipalities, the destination focus in Carmen are Veterans Memorial Shrine, Banana/Pomelo Plantation and Bird watching site; in Sto. Tomas are Aloha Inland Resort, Abujos Hillside Garden Resort, Municipal Ecological Park & Ecology Center (MEPEC), and Talos Tribal Community; in Braulio Dujali is Dapecol; in Kapalong are Pag-Asa Farms and Okbot Cave; in Talaingod are Paiton Cave and Cultural village; in Asuncion is the Madgao River; in San Isidro are the motocross and caving sites; and in Panas, New Corella are Panas Water Falls, Matinao, and Marcelino Cave.
The tourism destinations in Davao del Norte are also featured in “Living Asia” a television program promoting tourism in Asian countries.
