Friday, May 16, 2008 Manado-Davao direct air service to boost Mindanao tourism: exec By Carlo P. Mallo
FOR 2007, it was primarily the domestic market that spurred the tourism industry in Davao City and the neighboring provinces in Southern Mindanao, but the entry of a direct flight from the provincial capital of North Sulawesi in Indonesia is a welcome development.
According to Angel Puentespina, president of the Davao Association of Travel Agencies, the tourism industry of Davao was fueled by the domestic market itself.
"But the entry of flights from Manado will be welcomed," Puentespina said during the round table discussion with key tourism players from Manado on Wednesday.
The Manado-Davao air route was previously serviced by the Indonesia-based Merpati Airlines, but was eventually stopped.
"There was an increase in air traffic from Metro Manila and from the Visayas to Davao," Puentespina said, an indication that local tourists continue to visit Davao Region and neighboring areas.
The Data president also said that the increase in the air traffic also brought greater connectivity of the islands, especially with Visayas and Mindanao.
Also, Puentespina said the passenger load of airlines in the city also increased by almost 12 to 15 percent for the first quarter of 2008 compared to the passenger load of airlines for the same period in 2007.
Puentespina also said that an additional flight from Manado, Indonesia would be a welcome development in order to jumpstart the sub-regional tourism traffic.
The roundtable discussion with counterparts from Manado, Indonesia Thursday was made possible upon the invitation of the Indonesian Consulate in Davao City.
