DAVAO City tourist arrivals increased from 7.8 percent to 1,864,343 for 2016 from only 1,730,009 for 2015.
City Tourism Operations Office head Generose Tecson said they are expecting more influx of tourists and foreign visitors this year together with the holding of international events in the city.
“The international events being held in the city help us a lot in terms of free promotions and in having the participants discover Davao and hopefully liking it by posting pictures and letting their family and friends know about Davao and making them want to come back to experience more,” said Tecson.
Davao, being a gateway to other exciting places in the region can also help promote the tourist destinations of other cities and municipalities in Davao Region, she added.
To better encourage more tourists to come in the city for 2017, Tecson said they will partner with the Davao City Investment Promotions Center in inviting more investors for accommodations and convention facilities.
“We will use this opportunity of jostling Association of Southeast Asian Nations meetings to encourage more arrivals from our Asean brothers. We have lined up exciting activities for Araw ng Dabaw, the Visit Davao Fun Sale in summer, and Kadayawan festival in August as well as more promotions,” said Tecson.
She added Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio is also supportive of the tourism industry with the inclusion of tourism programs under the Do30 flagship project.
“That’s why it is very important that we Dabawenyos help each other by showing our guests what the Dabawenyo spirit and hospitality is all about that we can say life is here,” Tecson said.