Tuesday, April 15, 2008 Antalan: HOS, the next attraction in Igacos By Roger P. Antalan Dateline: IGaCoS
HOS is not yet a well-known tourism acronym. It will soon be. It stands for Holiday Oceanview Samal. It is the next attraction, a great tourism destination in Island Garden City of Samal (Igacos). This newest exciting real state development is the first of its kind in Mindanao.
HOS is more than seven hectares of prime development located at Ilihan, Babak district, Igacos. It is interesting to note that the meaning of the name of the location, Ilihan, fits the concept of the oceanview project. In Cebuano, the word is used to describe the action of a young child who does not easily go near a stranger but does only with a person the child likes. In this case, "Ilihan" means "choosy". It could easily be said that HOS promises to be a destination for those who know how to choose.
Set to open in 2009, the project has four major areas: Holiday Oceanview Village, Holiday Oceanview Townvillas, Holiday Oceanview Resort & Spa and the Holiday Oceanview Marina.
The flagship attraction, the Marina, a first in Mindanao offers exclusive membership for cruisers and will welcome foreign traveler's seafaring this part of the world.
How to get there? Take the ferry leaving Sasa wharf, Davao City, for a very short 5 to 10 minute ride. Upon reaching the island, HOS is less than 20 minutes away. The Davao International Airport is also just a few minutes from the Sasa ferry wharf.
The project is located on the sheltered side of Samal facing the mainland of Davao. The island lies in the heart of Davao Gulf. Davao Gulf has an area of 6,600 sq. kms. The big sea area is very suitable for sailing, fishing and scuba diving. There are 5 cities and 18 municipalities along the coastlines of the gulf, each LGU offering its own natural tourist attractions and colorful cultural festivals.
In the master plan of Davao Integrated Development Program (DIDP), Igacos has been pinpointed as the center of amenities for the Davao Region. Together with Davao City, IGaCoS has been listed as one of the 8 focal points of destination by the Department of Tourism. Because of its white beaches and clear waters along 118 kilometers of shoreline, IGaCoS has been known as Isla Nga Maanyag. It is one of the most peaceful cities in the whole country.
HOS therefore is most welcome to Igacos. It will give a strong boost to the growing tourism industry in the island. This attraction will surely bring in a lot of visitors and investors. Above all, this project will provide many job opportunities to the locales. That is the time that Samaleños have been waiting for.
