Friday, June 01, 2007 PAL exec sees better prospects for Davao
LAWYER Domingo Duerme, senior assistant vice-president for Mindanao sales of the Philippine Air Lines (PAL), expressed optimism that Davao City will continue to be a haven for new investments especially in the field of tourism-related business ventures.
He said this at the launching of the PAL photo exhibit at SM Mall highlighting the Asian first airliner's "rich historical legacy of PAL to the Filipino nation."
Duerme cited as one barometer for good business climate is the city's brisk travel industry especially air travel which is PAL's major domain.
He sees more hotel and restaurant operators to put up their businesses in the city, adding that there is already a demand for more golf courses and retirement havens from among foreigners.
Duerme, who is currently president of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc., noted the increasing presence of foreign visitors, especially South Koreans.
At the city's main port of entry which is the Davao International Airport, the PAL executive noted that South Koreans are almost at same level as that of the Japanese in terms of tourist arrivals.
They usually come here first as tourist and then come back as investors, Duerme said.
Good business climate is when foreigners come to travel here and see for themselves the main ingredients for doing good business at work, he added.
He cited as one major attraction of Davao City the peace and security being enjoyed by both businessmen and residents aside from the tax holidays offered by the city investment promotion program.
