Seoul-Manila-Davao flights to promote Davao as golf haven

Davao City’s tourism sector is cashing in on the emerging Korean and Chinese markets by promoting the city as a golf destination.

“We have been promoting the city as a honeymoon destination especially for Koreans but our golf facilities is one thing that the city can be proud of,” Davao Tourism Association president Art Boncato said.

He said Davao is one of the preferred golf destinations in the Philippines because of the general peacefulness of the area and the lack of traffic compared to Manila and Cebu.

Japanese and Korean golfers who find Japanese courses very expensive trek to the city because of its golf courses.

Davao has six golf facilities including the Andrew’s Driving Range in Shrine Hills, the 18-hole Apo Golf and Country Club in Dumoy and Lanang Country Club in Lanang, the Davao City Golf Club in Matina, Ranchos Palos Verdes in Buhangin and Golf Masters Sports Club in Maa.

Boncato said golf is one of the major attractions of Davao City especially for the Korean market but it has not really taken off because of the lack of direct flights between Davao and Korea.

The launch of the Philippine Airlines flight between Seoul, Korea and Manila with connecting flights to Davao City on December 16 this year will bring in the Korean tourists to the city’s golf clubs.

The Seoul-Manila (connecting Davao) flights is on its trial run and will be serviced by PAL’s Airbus 320.

A charter flight courtesy of Air Macau will also service the Macau-Seoul-Davao destination. The charter flight will start on January 3, 2007.(lovely a. carillo)