Saturday, July 19, 2008 10 booths to serve tourists during Kadayawan By Joy Romares-Sevilla
TEN tourist assistance centers will be activated during the Kadayawan Festival in different areas of the Rizal Park to give tourists and visitors first-hand information about the festival's activities.
Bong Aportadera, officer-in-charge of the City Tourism Office (CTO), said Wednesday that the 10 tourist assistance centers will be "dressed up" by students from 10 different schools and universities in the city.
"Ten schools have already confirmed that they are willing to send students for the dressing up of the centers. The students will be coordinating with the deputy mayors of the tribes," Aportadera said.
He said the CTO is also tying up efforts with the 911, Traffic Management Center (TMC), and the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) to give better service to the tourists.
"Students are properly briefed. The members of the TMC will also be given maps because they are the ones who are usually being asked by tourists," Aportadera said.
He further said that the biggest gain for this initiative of the CTO would go to the city.
According to him, the CTO tries to look for something that can help promote and sell Davao City as a potential destination area.
Meanwhile, the executive committee of the 2008 Kadayawan Festival promises a meaningful and appropriate celebration amidst global economic challenges.
During Wednesday's media consultation on Kadayawan promotion, the committee said it is in the thick of right-sizing preparations with several innovations that highlight the 10 indigenous communities in Davao.
It said this year's theme: Musanay Lumadnong Kagikan, Yutang Kabilin Panalipdan" communicates the value of indigenous traditions and indigenized lifestyles that are organized in two major events -- the Indigenous Peoples Festival and the Contemporary Indigenous-motivated celebrations.
