DOT getting ready to welcome Palaro athletes

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.
The Department of Tourism (DOT) 11 is now preparing to welcome the athletes, coaches, managers, and even the parents for the upcoming Palarong Pambansa on May 3 to 9 which will be hosted by Davao del Norte.
In an interview, DOT 11 regional director Reoberto Alabado III told Edge Davao his office is working closely with the governments of Davao del Norte and Tagum City in ensuring that visitors from all over the Philippines will have good a tourism experience in Davao Region.
“Our contribution in DOT is to provide good welcome performances to them. As they come in, we would like our visitors to feel welcome with the performances by local dance group,” Alabado said.
He said the partnership will also help the tourism industry in the region to maximize the exposures of its tourism products.
Alabado said the hosting of the annual sporting event will have a huge impact on the tourism sector not just in Tagum City or Davao Del Norte Province but the whole region.
He said based on what he read in the newspapers, around 10,000 athletes will be joining the sports event.
“These 10,000 athletes. I am sure that their parents will also be accompanying them. We are talking here of 30,000 to 40, 000 people coming in,” he said.