Despite security concerns, 200 buyers attend travel fair

Amid security concerns due to the bombing in Davao City, a total of 201 international buyers from 35 countries came to the country for the Philippine Travel Exchange (PHITEX) 2016 from September 4 to September 6, the Department of Tourism (DOT) reported.

“In the wake of upheavals, discord, uncertainties, and safety concerns, the love of travel and the new experiences it brings far outweighs the fear and helplessness these random, senseless acts can bring,” Tourism Secretary Wanda Corazon Teo said.

To note, the number of foreign buyers is even quite greater than that of the 198 local sellers from 132 companies in the Philippines.

Citing the World Travel and Tourism Council’s 2016 Economic Impact Report that says global tourism generated 7.2 million jobs and contributed US$ 7.2 trillion to global gross domestic product in 2015, the DOT chief said tourism has the “potential of bringing cultures and people together” and something that “builds bridges of peace.” Foreigners in Davao Meanwhile, Teo said there are also seven buyers from Indonesia, one from Thailand, one from Switzerland, one from US, and three members of the international media who are now in Davao City as part of their post-tour activities in the country.

“The Department of Tourism believes that we all have an equal stake in advancing peace in the country. We believe that one way of easing tension in Mindanao is to give importance to the region as one of the top tourist destinations where priority action should be given in designing and implementing product development programs. This initiative is based on the belief that cultural dialogue, through tourism, has a key role to play in the peacemaking process,” she noted.

The tourism secretary stressed that it is business as usual in Davao.

“We want to show our friends from abroad that while we sympathize with those who suffered loss and injury in the tragic explosion and echo the nation’s outrage for the senseless act that happened in Davao City recently, life must go on for the people. And this shows that the city remains a safe place for visitors and residents alike. In fact, DOT Mindanao is now working on Davao-Manado flights and chartered Xiamen flights to augment foreign arrivals to the region,” she stated.