DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 5 June)—The local government of Davao City expects 200,000 visitors during the first-ever “Duaw Davao Festival” from June 21 to 30, an executive of the City Tourism Office said on Wednesday.
Joanna Ricci Alajar, tourism relations officer, at the ‘Wednesdays Media Forum at Habi at Kape.’ Screengrab from the MinDA Facebook livestream
During the “Wednesdays Media Forum at Habi at Kape,” Joanna Ricci Alajar, tourism relations officer, said that the 10-day event would highlight the local tourism, shopping and leisure, live music and Pride month celebration, and fiesta at San Pedro Street.
She said that the city has a lot to offer to visitors aside from its local delicacies, as it has a number of potential tourism spots.
Alajar added that the festival’s major events include Duaw Davao Music Fest at Rizal Park on June 21; Duaw Davao Pride Sportsfest at Davao City Recreational Center (DCRC) on June 21 to 23; Reyna ng Davao Coronation Night at the University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP) Gymnasium; Duaw Davao Pride Parade from Roxas Avenue to Rizal Street; “Hugyaw Davao: Night of Fun & Colors” at Rizal Park on June 23; Davao Tourismo Arts & Food Trucks Bazaar at Rizal Park on June 27 to 30; and Duaw Davao Inter-Barangay Mobile Legends Bang Bang (MLBB) Tournament at the DCRC on June 30.
She said Duaw Davao would be organized to further promote local tourism, encourage more economic activities, and make the city a main destination during the “summer” time of each year.
Alajar said that the city has a number of tourism spots for foreign and domestic guests, including farm tourism that the local government is hoping to promote.
She said that the local tourism office is working with the barangay tourism councils in the hopes of encouraging them to identify potential tourism spots within their respective jurisdiction.
“We’re also looking forward to strengthening the farm tourism of Davao City. Currently, our office is strengthening the barangay tourism council wherein we empower each barangay to find tourism spots around their jurisdiction and then collaborate with city tourism in order for us to promote and market their potential spots or potential tourism spots,” Alajar said.
She said that the local tourism office is developing 20 potential spots.
She said they also hope to craft regulations to ensure the conservation of these areas, particularly in tourism sites where the Lumad people live. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)