Tourism stakeholders hopeful 200k will come to Kadayawan

THE Davao Tourism Association (Data) is hopeful that the tourism arrivals in Davao City for Kadayawan Festival will reach 200,000 compared to last year’s tourist influx at around 168,000.

“Just to match last year’s number given the situation we are in right now, then we will be happy because we have to factor in those who are not yet decided to go. But we’re really hopeful to really hit 200,000 because we’re still in that situation,” said Data president Gatchi Gatchalian, mentioning the slight impact that the Martial Law declaration in Mindanao particularly in the tourism sector such as events cancellation and postponement.

Gatchalian said that is one of the reasons they made this year’s Kadayawan Festival to be the largest and loudest yet just so more people would be interested to join in with the fun.

Currently, the tourism sector is promoting Kadayawan to neighboring provinces and cities, which they call “promotion from within” especially that these tourists do not need to fly in anymore

and have a more convenient access to Davao City.

Still as a means to promote Kadayawan Festival, Gatchalian said they are set to put up a billboard advertisement along Edsa within the week.

“This is for the people from other places to know that we didn’t cancel anything. The word ‘cancel’ should not be part of our vocabulary. Everything will be pushed through as planned. I can even say, this will be the most secured Kadayawan Festival,” Gatchalian said.

From the original seven events, this year’s festival will have 15 events including the Kadayawan Village that will showcase the 11 tribes in Davao City.

Other events include the Kadayawan Dome, Pitik Kadayawan, Tunog Kadayawan, Habi sa Kadayawan, Kaondayawan in Palma Gil, wherein a total of 50 food tenants will be showcasing different food found in the city. JPA