Despite the recent pandemic, arrivals to the province’s premier tourist destinations continue to soar as more visitors are being beguiled by Davao Oriental’s exquisite beauty and charm.
Based on the data from the Provincial Tourism Office for 2022, ticket sales in the provincial government-run eco-parks and museum have exceeded the target sales.
The historic Cape San Agustin Eco-Park in Governor Generoso town earned the highest sales at P1.5 million. It was followed by the Subangan Museum in the City of Mati, Pintatagan Welcome Park in Banaybanay town, Mount Hamiguitan Eco-Park in San Isidro town, and Pusan Point in Caraga town, respectively.
Currently, the Mount Hamiguitan Eco-Park and Pusan Point Eco-park are closed for rehabilitation and renovation in preparation for the massive tourism relaunch this year.
For 2022, the overall ticket sales reached P3.8 million, while income from other sources such as room accommodations, venue rentals, and shares from souvenir shops have reached P4.4 million, bringing the overall revenue to P8.3 million, exceeding the target of P1.5 million.
This year, under Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon’s leadership, the provincial government has shifted its focus toward tourism programs to boost the industry as one of the province’s main economic drivers.
Governor Malanyaon said that while the country and the province are reeling from the economic crisis and budget cuts from its share in the national government, the province is now even more compelled to look for possible income sources to support its development programs.
The Governor, who has already laid the foundation for the province’s tourism industry in her previous stint as the local chief executive, believes in the tourism industry’s potential to counter poverty and help the province’s economic recovery. Given the province’s massive potential in tourism and agriculture, the provincial government is exhausting all efforts to explore these competitive advantages.
Aside from attracting investors to infuse investment in the province, the provincial government, together with the City Government of Mati, had initial talks with the national flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) for possible flights to the province. Currently, the province and the city are complying with the PAL’s basic flight requirements.
Moreover, the provincial government is currently renovating the province’s eco-parks and building additional amenities in the province’s key destinations.
Governor Malanyaon said the province has been expediting these interventions to be able to relaunch the province’s massive tourism campaign early this year. She expressed her delight at the Local Government Units in the city and the municipalities who are all doing their fair share for the cause of boosting the province’s tourism industry.
She hopes that private businesses will also join the province in elevating the province’s hospitality services and tourism sector to attract more tourists to come and visit Davao Oriental.
“Davao Oriental has what it takes to be a premier tourist destination. We only need more preparation, and I hope everybody pitches into this shared vision for our province’s benefit,” said Governor Malanyaon. ʙʏ ᴋᴀʀᴇɴ ʟᴏᴜ ᴅᴇʟᴏꜱᴏ
