Tourism industry gears up for this year's Kadayawan

STAKEHOLDERS in the tourism industry are now gearing up for this year's celebration of Kadayawan Festival in Davao City slated in August, said Mary Montemayor, chair of the Davao Region Tourism Council.

In her recent report to consultants of Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica), Montemayor said several of the projects and activities lined up this year by the tourism industry cluster had already been accomplished.

"We'll continue to join other activities in the region that attract domestic and foreign visitors to Davao," she told the Jica consultants during the recent monitoring meeting at the Department of Trade and Industry regional office.

One of the biggest events participated actively by the tourism industry in Davao City was the recently-concluded Mice Conference, which drew hundreds of delegates from various Asian countries, as well as North America and Europe.

Held at the new SMX Convention Center in Lanang, the event gathered top executives of tourism organizations, global hotels, travel agencies worldwide, event organizers, global airlines, and tourism councils from different countries.

Montemayor said Davao Region's tourism booth during the event was "the most visited," as it received hundreds of inquiries about travel destinations, tour spots and the unique tribal handicrafts and accessories found in the region.

Bracing for the expected increase in domestic and foreign visitors during the annual Kadayawan Festival, the tourism industry cluster will set up again the tribal crafts booth that had been attracting tourists, visitors as well as tribal craft buyers to this city.

"Many buyers are fascinated by the hand-made crafts made by our various ethnic tribes in Davao," Montemayor said.

The tourism industry cluster is also coordinating with the coconut industry cluster whose members are also making various handicrafts, hand bags, and fashion accessories made of coconut shell and coco fiber. (PR)