DAVAO City needs to develop more cultural destinations not only for tourism purposes but to showcase culture of Dabawenyos.
Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII) trustee Maria Lourdes Monteverde said in a press conference on Wednesday, June 26, that among the areas that the city needs to improve are the air linkages, transportation, and tourist destinations that will show the culture of Davao City.
Following her report about the success of the two-day Davao Investment Conference 2019, Monteverde said the city need not compete with other metro cities for theme parks and similar tourist sites. She said cultural destinations should be developed instead of high-end destinations.
“We have to capitalize on what we have and showcase it to the world like our IP communities where people can visit and immerse in the culture of the area,” she said.
For her part, City Tourism Operations Office head Generose Tecson said in a text message Thursday, June 27, 2019 that while developing cultural destinations could boost tourism in the city, these should not be commodified.
“Cultural destinations should be set up not to commodify the people in a targeted area but planned with them so as to showcase what they allow without violating their customs and traditions,” Tecson said.
There has been an influx of local and foreign tourists in the city since 2016. Tecson admitted the city still lacks in some areas like accommodation and tourist destinations but they are already working on it.
Tecson also said there should be a “good mix” of cultural destinations and high-end destinations. She also pointed out there is a need for a “very good planning” to ensure these sites are properly developed.
“High-end destinations should meld into the environment where it’s located and take into consideration the culture in that area,” Tecson said. (LHC)