DAVAO City is expecting a surge of about 160,000 to 170,000 tourists in time for the Christmas holidays, said the City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO).
In an interview with CTOO head Generose Tecson she said the city is hoping to receive at least 160,000 tourists for the month of December.
“All the preparations for Christmas are for everybody, both for Davaoeños and visitors. Our hotels are ready with their promos too,” said Tecson.
Davao Event Suppliers Association (Desa) president Elinor Marcelino said as early as the first week of December, the hotels and events venue in the city are already 80 percent booked especially because of family and company Christmas parties.
Aside from tourists coming here to spend the Christmas season, Marcelino also said December is wedding season which means some of the booked hotels and events venue are for wedding receptions.
One of the highlights of this year’s Pasko Fiesta includes Kan-anan sa Tribo, the food market at Magsaysay Park showcasing the delicacies and cuisine of the 11 tribes in the city. On Saturday, the 7th LGBT Davao’s Year-End gathering party was held at Azuela Cove Tent in Lanang.
On December 22, the Lamdag Parada will be held to showcase a parade of lighted Christmas lanterns plus the marching band competition. On Christmas Day, the Yugyugan sa Pasko Fiesta, a Christmas Street Party is expected to be attended by Davaoeños and tourists alike at Rizal Park.
In a separate interview with Davao City Police Office (DCPO) director Police Senior Superintendent Alexander Tagum, he said they are going to deploy 1,800 personnel for the holiday season.
A security plan had already been mapped out and will be implemented in different areas in the city. Police visibility will also be strengthened together with the assistance of law enforcement agencies and Volunteer Police Auxiliary while the Christmas events are ongoing.
Tagum said their already existing anti-criminality strategies such as Oplan Kapkap bakal, checkpoint operations, and mobile and foot patrols among others will still continue to be observed to ensure safety and peace and security of both the tourists and the Davaoeños.