SOME 80 travel and tours operators from Metro Manila, Luzon and Visayas arrive here on Friday and will stay for the weekend for a familiarization tour, Rose Galang of Manila-based Ephesus Travel and Tours said.
The agencies are members of the well-knit National Association of Independent Travel and Agencies. They will be hosted by Naitas members in Davao City led by Mindanao chair Wanda Teo of Mt. Apo Travel and Tours and will be billeted at the Waterfront Hotel of Davao.
Galang and Teo said that the familiarization tour is the first major effort of the organization aimed at acquiring first hand knowledge of tourist sites in Davao City and the neighboring provinces.
Countryside tours to include a visit at the Eden Nature Park, the Philippine Eagle and Samal Island resort hopping are part of Naitas itinerary.
Galang said that at the end of the familiarization tour, Naitas will then be able to market Davao tour destinations to the growing domestic and foreign visitors who have earlier made their intention to visit various tourism sites in the country, Davao City included.
Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and incoming Mayor Inday Sara Duterte and the Davao City Tourism Office will tender a dinner for the travel and tour operators Friday.
Davao Casino and the Department of Tourism will provide the guests with other amenities during their stay. (PR)