Mindanao Times

Tourism industry needs to hold more events, say

- SAMANTHA BURGOS

THE TOURISM industry must come up with more activities that will lure more tourists, like sports and other events, said Arturo Milan, president of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Milan said these activities, similar to the recentlyco­ncluded Kadayawan sa Dabaw, will help draw more people to the city.

He said sports activities and other similar events should be held so that more tourists will visit the city.

“Foreigners enjoyed watching the tribal games (during the Kadayawan sa Dabaw), and we need more activities like this to sustain (the) tourism initiative­s,” he said during the Kapehan sa Davao at SM City Davao.

He added that the quality of activities of the festival also leveled up, adding that both foreign and local tourists decided to spend time in the city even if it was held longer as organizers decided to hold it for a month instead of just a week.

On the duration of the event, Milan said it increased the number of visitors as well as resulted in bigger incomes for industry businesses.

Renato Gatchalian, president of the Davao Tourism Associaton, added that the month-long holding of the event allowed more people to witness it.

Gatchalian also batted for the holding of more events next year so that “people will have something to look forward to.

He also called on tour operators to come up with packages that will not only feature the city but other destinatio­ns in the region to ensure that tourists will have some new places to visit.

 ??  ?? MILAN
MILAN

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Philippines