THE Department of Tourism (DOT) said Tuesday that the Davao Cultural Festival recently held at the Marco Polo Beijing Hotel with the theme of “From Islands to Highlands” was a part of the Philippine marketing campaign in the People’s Republic of China.
This well-received Davao activity in Beijing resulted in coverage by Chinese broadcast media and a cover feature story in a Chinese MICE Magazine.
A familiarization trip to Davao for selected Beijing tour operators and media personnel follows in 2012 which is being organized by DOT Beijing in cooperation with DOT Davao, the Davao Tourism Regional Council and Cebu-Pacific Air.
The Kalumon Performing Ensemble presented ethnic Davao music and dances during lunch and dinner shows. The ensemble was a special guest performer during celebrations at the Philippine Embassy for the diplomatic corps and the Filipino community.
Organized by the DOT-Southern Mindanao, the festival introduced Beijing residents to the distinct cultural heritage and tourism attractions of Davao Region.
“Through this festival, we presented the colors and rhythms of our ethnic dances and music, the exciting and refreshing flavors of our cuisine, the quality of our eco-friendly local handicrafts, the enchanting flora and fauna, and the multi-ethnicity and natural warmth of the Davaeños.
“All these make up the extraordinary tourism offerings of Davao which we shared with our Chinese friends in this capital city of more than 19 million people,” said Regional Director Arturo Boncato, Jr., who was formerly the Executive Assistant Manager of Marco Polo Davao Hotel.
The Marco Polo Parkside is a 315-suite spa hotel located in the nerve-center of Beijing and near the China International Convention Center, North Star Shopping Mall, the ‘Bird’s Nest’ Stadium – host to the 2008 Olympic Games.
Its present general manager, Stanley Lau, managed the Marco Polo Davao Hotel, Mindanao›s first and only international de luxe hotel, for six years before being assigned to Beijing.
Filipino Celebrity Chef Gene Gonzalez and his crew at the Center for Asian Culinary Studies featured authentic Davao cuisine including durian ice cream and Davao cheeses as well as other Philippine dishes during the three week-long food festival.
The Davao Cultural Festival was co-sponsored by Cebu-Pacific Air in cooperation with the Davao Tourism Regional Council, Davao Eco-Crafts and the Center for Asian Culinary Studies-Davao (CACS).
The DOT office in Beijing led by tourism attaché Jasmin Esguerra assisted during travel presentations to the Chinese media and travel trade. [PNA]
