AT LEAST 170,000 tourists are expected to join in and celebrate Araw ng Dabaw for the entire month of March, said Araw ng Dabaw spokesperson Orly Escarilla.
During the I-Speak press conference held at the Davao City Hall Conference Room, Escarilla said the target is to exceed the city's tourist arrivals of 160,000 last May.
According to City Council Committee Chair on Tourism Al Ryan Alejandre, annually there are more tourists expected during Kadayawan as compared to Araw ng Dabaw as the activities of the latter are more fashioned towards celebration of Davao’s foundation day and the celebration of its people – of the government employees, the private sectors, the locals and the balikbayans.
He added that awards and celebrations like the Datu Bago Award, Pasidungog, and Dabawenyo Ako are just examples of how Araw ng Dabaw really is a celebration of Davao City and its people.
Last year, the Davao City Tourism and Operations Office (CTOO) recorded a total of 185,660 tourist arrivals during the Kadayawan sa Dabaw Festival 2017 based on the hotel occupancy.
Alejandre also said that a lot of the activities for Araw ng Dabaw are still very much attractive and enjoyable for the tourists as they are for the locals. Some of these include Parada Dabawenyo, Mutya ng Davao and Yugyugan, among others.
There will also be Tugtugan sa Davao on March 18, 6 p.m. at San Pedro Square. Tugtugan sa Davao is an acoustic band competition. Alejandre said they held auditions for the participating bands from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. because of the many bands interested to participate.
Tugtugan sa Davao will also be graced by Manila band Spongecola.