The Department of Tourism (DOT) Davao is looking at the Davao Crocodile Park and Zoo as an accessible addition to the city’s tourism offerings, giving visitors another attraction they can easily include in their itinerary while exploring Davao.
DOT Davao Regional Director Tanya Rabat-Tan said the park’s accessibility gives it an advantage as a tourism stop because visitors can experience it without setting aside an entire day.
“We are happy because this is one attraction that is very accessible,” Rabat-Tan said during a visit to the park on Tuesday, August 18.
She said the park can complement other activities already available to tourists in Davao City.
“It doesn’t really take a whole day of their time to experience what we do,” Rabat-Tan said.
The approach supports Davao City’s effort to offer visitors a wider range of experiences beyond major festivals, business trips and conventions. Attractions that tourists can conveniently add to their schedules can encourage them to explore more of the city and spend more time at local destinations.
The visit brought together DOT officials, tour guides and members of the media as Davao Crocodile Park and Zoo sought to reintroduce its attractions, services and new developments to the tourism sector.
Davao Crocodile Park and Zoo President and CEO Marco Philip Dizon said the park has continued to expand its offerings over the years, prompting management to showcase the attraction anew.
“The reason for me inviting everyone here, including our regional director and the rest of the media team and the tour guides, is because we would like to once again reintroduce our product and services,” Dizon said.
“For the longest time, we’ve built a steady collection of new animals, and new stores as well, and new services,” he added.
The park, which has operated in Davao City for 21 years, has added several species to its wildlife collection, including capybaras and zebras.
Dizon said the park started with five capybaras and has since increased the population to around 18 through its breeding program. He also said one of the park’s zebras is pregnant.
“These animals are not endemic to Davao. But these are animals that you hear about in books, you see on the internet, we hear from movies,” Dizon said.
“And not a lot of people know that we have them in our own backyards in Davao,” he added.
Beyond its wildlife exhibits, the park also offers dining and entertainment activities, including cultural performances and weekend fire dancing, which can add to a visitor’s overall experience.
Rabat-Tan said the DOT also sees opportunities for further collaboration with the park on activities that could benefit tourists and strengthen Davao’s existing tourism products.
For the city’s tourism sector, the park offers another attraction that can complement Davao’s food, culture, festivals and other leisure experiences.
By giving tourists more options within the city, tourism stakeholders aim to build a more complete Davao itinerary and give visitors more reasons to explore the city throughout the year. ACA
