Davao Tourism Gets Big Boost

Davao City’s tourism got a boost after Cebu Air, Inc. made the city its third hub of operations and another gateway for the country. The management of Cebu Pacific came up with the decision after realizing that 30% of its Cebu-Singapore and Cebu-Hong Kong passengers come from the city.

This development is significant for Dabawenyos (and other passengers from Mindanao) who can now travel from Davao to Hong Kong or Davao to Singapore directly. Grand Air used to fly the said route but stopped its operations. Silk Air also operates a Davao-Singapore route daily.

Under the promotional rates which will be applied from November 13 to 20, 2007, Dabawenyos only need to pay P999 for both routes (Davao-Singapore or Davao-Hong Kong). This however excludes the taxes and other surcharges.

Not to be left behind, direct international flights from Davao to Hong Kong is also in the offing according to Philippine Airlines senior vice president for Mindanao Domingo Duerme said. He added that the airline is also considering two more destinations in China.

BIMP-EAGA Tourism Council chair Mary Ann Montemayor said Cebu Pacific’s move will encourage more tourist arrivals in the city not only from EAGA but also from other countries. BMP-EAGA or the Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines-East Asian Growth Area is an organization of similar economies in East Asia which aims to promote several areas of cooperation among themselves including communications, transportation and telecommunications.

Montemayor, who just attended the 3rd BIMP-EAGA Travel Exchange in Kuching,
Malaysia, announced that they have entered into a partnership with Malaysia’s Sabah Tourism Association. The agreement is expected to further improve tourism between the two countries.

She said a total of 3 million and 2.8 million foreign tourists visit Sarawak and Sabah (respectively) every year compared to the only 3 million foreign tourists targeted by the Department of Tourism for the whole Philippines. By linking to Kuching, the city can get a certain percentage of that foreign tourist arrival.