The ASEAN-Korea Center (AKC) underscored Monday that Davao City’s reputation as the “safest city” in the country could be used to lure more foreign tourists.
Marketing Team Director of Jeju Convention and Visitors Bureau Jo Ji-hun said during the Tourism Capacity Building Workshop in Marco Polo Hotel, that Davao City’s MICE could expand to international scheme through the tourism certification issued by international organizations.
The workshop was sponsored by AKC in partnership with the Department of Tourism.
Jo shared that Jeju Island is using a certificate on safety issued by international organizations such as United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) which is one of the factors being considered by MICE participants.
Prof. Lee Seul Ki of Sejong University also pointed out Davao City’s Central 911 unit as a “plus factor” in promoting the city as a competitive MICE destination.
“Korean tourists do water sports activities such as scuba diving and they are looking for assurance on their safety. You could use that since Davao City is one of the three cities that provide 911 for free along with US and Canada,” he said.
Meanwhile, Alex Paik, Managing Director of AP Communication who discussed Marketing MICE: Online Promotion said the country could also make use of the travel advisories issued by foreign countries in a good way as he cited the security measures being implemented by the city PNP as an indicator for foreign tourists that Davao City government is serious on ensuring safety in the city.
According to DOT-XI Regional Director Robert Alabado, the AKC chooses five countries each year to collaborate with and this year, upon the recommendation of Raul Hernandez, Philippine ambassador to Korea, AKC has chosen Davao City to be the recipient of AKC’s assistance on MICE program.
He also expressed his hopes that the AKC’s assistance would not end after the workshop but until Davao City could attain its brand as one of the main MICE destinations in the country.
