‘Kadayawan’ expecting 200K tourists

DAVAO CITY – More than 200,000 tourists are expected to visit Davao City during the month-long 33rd Kadayawan Festival next month, City Tourism Office head Generose Tecson said. Tecson said they hope to get more foreign visitors through Silkair’s direct flights between the city and Singapore. AirAsia announced last month it will discontinue its Davao-Kuala Lumpur flights, the city’s second international flight, effective next month due to commercial reasons, only eight months after its maiden flight on December 21, 2017. “We are hoping we get more foreign visitors next month. I’m sure they already have an idea that it’s very safe here in Davao. With our Singapore flights, we hope to have 5 percent increase from last year,” she said. She said the role of social media was important to address the security concerns in the city amid the implementation of martial law in Mindanao since May 23, 2017, following the attack of Islamic State-inspired Maute Group on Marawi City. “We made it known how safe and secure Davao was through our social media accounts by inviting friends and relatives and companies, government agencies and establishments to hold their conferences here in Davao,” she said. Tecson added visitors marveled at the festive atmosphere of peace and camaraderie in the city.