Forum held to boost sports tourism

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

KEY players from the tourism industry and sports community attended the Sports Tourism Forum (STF) at the Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao Tuesday to boost sports tourism in the Davao Region and make it one of the Philippines' tourism destinations.

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte graced the one-day symposium aimed at generating awareness from among key players and for them to embark on a sports tourism projects and activities in the city to attract more tourists.

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Charles Lim, founder of the Sports Tourism Forum, said 120 participants from different sectors like the local government units (LGUs), sports associations and event organizers attended the forum.

He said the meeting was staged since Davao has a tremendous potential for sports tourism.

The objective of the forum, Lim said, is to draw the attention of private sectors, LGUs and sports associations into sports tourism and eventually conduct sports events in the city.

A similar forum was held in Clark Pampanga, Subic, and Camarines Sur.

Wakeboarding, golf, mountain climbing, motor cross racing are few of the many sports activities that can attract guests to come to the city, Lim said, adding that beach volleyball and beach rugby can also be included to the list.

"The private sectors should really find out what sports tournaments can be held here," said Lim.

He added that he would come back to Davao to hold some workshops and determine the available facilities than can hold sports-related activities and tournaments. (Antonio I. Colina IV)