Positioning the province of Davao Oriental as a premier and world-class tourist destination and investment haven, the provincial government of Davao Oriental on Wednesday hosted a grand Tourism Summit held at the province’s capital city of Mati.
Considered the biggest and the only provincial tourism summit held in the region, the Davao Oriental Tourism Summit 2022 saw the massive gathering of about 500 tourism stakeholders from across the province discussing critical issues while harmonizing tourism plans aligned with the vision of the provincial leadership.
“We have to start right. Kinahanglan, sa pagsugod pa plastado ang tanan (We need to set everything in place first),” said Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon, who made clear her vision of a well-organized and sustainable tourism industry that will live up to the expectations of tourists and visitors while preserving and conserving Davao Oriental’s pristine nature.
Gov. Malanyaon underscored the summit’s importance as a venue for comprehensive planning, with all stakeholders moving toward one direction and working together for a common goal— to help the economy recover through tourism, considering its role as a critical economic driver.
While tourism is now showing strong signs of recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, with tourist arrivals starting to rise, Governor Malanyaon said it is high time to help tourism bounce back.
“We have to take full advantage of the tourism rush!” she said as she urged the stakeholders to seize the massive tourism opportunities. She noted that the province is now in a much better position to promote itself as a tourist destination, with the provincial government putting up modest infrastructures in place and the province being declared insurgency-free.
But apart from these developments, Davao Oriental is banking on its massive potential—its bountiful natural resources, rich biodiversity, and wealth in cultural heritage.
Strategically located in the easternmost part of the country, Davao Oriental is where the sun shines first in the Philippines. Davao Oriental also has the biggest land area and the longest coastline in the Davao Region.
From ridge to reef, the province is a treasure-trove of a wide selection of natural beauty spots such as majestic waterfalls, mystic lakes and rivers, refreshing hot and cold springs, white-sand beaches, exciting diving, and surfing sites, captivating and mysterious caves, and several exotic islands which are ideal destinations for retreats and entertainment.
Moreover, it is also known for its rich biodiversity. In fact, Davao Oriental is host to the first and only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Mindanao.
With all these potentials, Governor Malanyaon called on all stakeholders to put their acts together to address urgent tourism issues and concerns and contribute to a thoughtfully planned, inclusive, and sustainable tourism industry.
Provincial Tourism Council
While yesterday’s summit discussed plans and guidelines for tourism-related businesses and services to entice tourists while ensuring sustainable tourism, the event saw the official creation of the Provincial Tourism Council through the Governor’s executive order no. 24.
Chaired by no less than the Governor herself, the Council is set to develop sound policies and guidelines, ensuring the growth and optimization of the tourism sector.
With the inclusive membership of all LGUs and the representation of different key players from the food and beverage, accommodation, and transportation sectors, the recreation and entertainment, travel and tours, and tour guides, down to souvenirs and gift shops, among others, the provincial government hopes to drive economic development, create jobs, and reduce poverty for the benefit of all Davao Oriental constituents. By Karen Lou Deloso | Photos by Mark Oliver Alvite
