AS DAVAO City projects itself as a meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (Mice) destination, the Davao City Investment Promotion Center (DCIPC) is inviting more investors, who are into convention centers and accommodation establishments, to come to the city.
City Tourism Operations Office head Generose Tecson said in an interview with SunStar Davao Thursday, March 14, that due to lack of hotel accommodation in the city, there is difficulty in bookings.
“Months pa ago, yung mga hotels, hindi na bumaba yung occupancy rates nila ng 85 percent. Ibig sabihin, marami talaga ang mga tao right now sa Davao,” Tecson said.
“This is not only because of the events but because we have been marketing Davao as a Mice destination. So halos lahat, dito na nagho-hold ng mga events and conventions nila,” she added.
Tecson said in order to address the increasing number of conventions being held in te city, aside from looking for more investors, they also want the existing condominium owners who put their spaces on lease to be required of business permit to operate.
“Mayroon tayong problem with hotel accommodation that is why we met with owners of condominium units na nag-lease ng kanilang mga spaces na kumuha na sila ng mga business permits,” she said, adding that the owners actually agreed that they need to have a permit for security purposes if the visitors and tourists in the city.
“Since they are conducting business by letting out their condo units or houses for rent, they have to get business permits. We asked them of this because after Araw ng Davao, we will inspect yung mga alam naming condo unit na nagle-lease ng spaces nila,” she said.
By getting a permit to operate, Tecson assured that they will help these owners advertise their rates and rooms available legally within the regulations from the city.