This is foreseen to be the biggest tourism national event in 2015. It will be held in Davao City on October 1 to 4. The theme is “One Billion Tourists, One Billion Opportunities: The Philippine Context.” This is going to happen in Mayor Duterte Country.
Davao City and other attractions in the region promise wonderful sites, gustatory delights (especially the fruits in season), good shopping areas for native products; and Mayor Digong assures visitors of a stable peace (no bombing, no hold-up, no pickpockets, and no traffic problem).
On October 1, delegates from all over the Philippines will start arriving and registration will be held at SMX Foyer, SM Lanang in Davao City. There will be parade at 4 p.m., starting from SM Lanang Fountain Court to SMX Function Room 2 and 3. Mayor Rodrigo Duterte is hosting the night. Davao is noted for cultural program and best food, tuna of all sorts. The delegates will be in their regional or traditional attire.
Next day, (October 2) will be the opening program and preliminaries. We are expecting a big fish as the keynote speaker from the Department of Tourism. Others speculate that Senator Grace, Sen. Chiz, or Sec. Mar will be there to taste the Duterte reception. Mayor Digong has lots of surprise.
Topics for the day include “The Homestay Program: Building Constituencies, Bridging Cultures” and “Greening the Tourism Value Chain: Ensuring Resiliency for Sustainable Future.” These are good topics that are applicable for world tourism. We are preparing our Bacolod-Talisay-Silay Tourism Circuit for this as part of our priority in the LGSP-LED.
Delegates will also consider the “NCCA Roadmap on Culture and Sustainable Tourism.” The officers and members of the Association of Tourism Officers will also have their business meeting. Sen. Nikki Coseting (on a separate venue) will talk about “Diliman Preparatory School Tourism Program: An Approach to Holistic Learning Experience.” Three years ago, I was requested by Sen. Nikki to be in her school to conduct a two-day seminar-workshop for her teachers.
First day activity will have a memorable conclusion because the governor of the Davao Region will host dinner at Waterfront Hotel Garden Tent.
Guests will be in their TBA attire and the night will offer colours, sound, spirits, and more acquaintances. You will be there to see and to be seen.
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The third day (October 3) will be more exciting because it is a “Benchmarking Tour Day.” Six tours are organized for the delegates to choose. Davao City tour offers D’ Bone Collector Museum, Public Safety and Security Command Center, Central 911, Crocodile Park, and Tribu K’ Mindanawan.”
Davao Royalties include Philippine Eagle Research Center, Sul Orchids, and Malagos Garden Resort. Sun and Sand Package is the Island Garden City of Samal in Davao del Norte. Nature lovers will enjoy at Hagimit Falls and Monfort Bat cave. Those who love cultural tour should proceed to Davao del Sur to visit the Tibolo Cultural Village and Camp Sabros.
For one like me, I would prefer the Plantation Tour at Davao del Norte. I want to see Banana Beach, Hijo Plantation, and Tadeco. For the adventurers, Compostela Valley is waiting where one can explore Camp Manuel T. Yan Eco Tourism Park and Mahayahay Cave. The organizers are trying to put up a tentative tour for Mt. Hamiguitan (up to buffer zone only) in Davao Oriental.
The most exciting moment is the “2015 Pearl Awards Ceremony” at SMX Function Room 2 and 3. Silay City will receive the Hall of Fame Award after winning for three consecutive years (2012, 2013 and 2014) as the Most Outstanding Tourism-Oriented LGU of the Philippines (Roxas City, Dakak Resort, and Legaspi City).
Let us hope that more towns and cities in Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental will send entries in different categories for ATOP-DOT 2015 Pearl Awards now that we belong already to Negros Island-Region 18.
Good Luck! Enjoy the fun in Davao!