Cancellation of events, hotel bookings confirmed
TOURISM officials confirmed that there have been cancellations of hotel bookings and events in Davao City following the recent terror threats in the city.
“We learned through Department of Tourism (DOT) Asec. Arturo P. Boncato Jr. that there are some hotels that have declared some cancellations of events or bookings,” said Lisette Marques, Davao City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO) officer-incharge, in an interview with reporters yesterday at Marco Polo Hotel Davao.
She pointed out that these are just small groups who have cancelled their events or stay.
For his part, Boncato said tourists and organiz- ers cancelling their events or bookings are simply immediate reactions brought by the news.
He also said the number of cancellations are “not significant.”
“Inquiries on the city’s security regarding the threats still continue but right now the inquiries are just minimal,” Marques said.
She said they are still gathering the final figures of how many bookings or events were cancelled following the terror threats.
Marques said despite the cancellations, there are some hotels or venues that did not experience any cancellation like the SMX Convention Center.
Boncato also said there are groups who have pushed through with their events or trips to the city.
“We were able to make them understand the real situation here on the ground. So we have assured them that all concerned agencies will be there for them from the moment they have arrived to the time that they leave,” he said.
“Davao remains to be very attractive especially for Mice (meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibits),” Boncato added. RJFL