I Love Davao: September 2016

Foreign Tour Operators and Buyers Visit Davao

Foreign Tour operators and buyers from different parts of the world are looking at Davao's potential as a tourist destination in the Philippines.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), hosted the Philippine Travel Exchange (PHITEX) 2016, the country’s largest and most important annual travel trade event. It was participated by 220 international buyers from 40 countries and 220 local sellers from 145 companies doing business-to-business sessions on tourism, travel and trade opportunities and post tour events from September 6-10,2016.

A group of 16 buyers are currently in the city as part of the post event tours of PHITEX. These buyers are looking at promoting Davao in their countries as a destination to visit in the Philippines. They will experience Davao region's beach holiday, adventure, culture,nature, food and the various tourist facilities within the city and in Samal and Tagum cities.

DOT Mindanao OIC Eden David presents Davao tourist offerings to the buyers and local media guests.

“Majority of the participants are from Indonesia and their interest is to push for a direct Manado-Davao flight so we can bring in divers, golfers and middle aged Indonesian tourists from Jakarta to do a twin destination of Manado-Davao,” DOT Mindanao OIC Eden David mentioned.

“We are inviting Davao to do a roadshow in Jakarta to promote this twin destination as Indonesians now love to travel. They want to experience something new and interesting like Davao,” according to Mr. Ophan Lamara, President of the Association of the Indonesian Tours and Travel Agencies whose members number to over two thousand.

Association of the Indonesian Tours and Travel Agencies President Ophan Lamara speaking before the local media on Davao-Manado twin destination for Jakarta toursits,

In a related development, the BIMP-EAGA Joint Tourism Development meeting last August 26, 2016 in Balikpapan, Indonesia, pushed for the increased connectivity amongst member countries. Specifically highlighted are Davao-Manado; Sandakan-Zamboanga and possible triangular route Puerto Princesa-Cebu-Kuala Lumpur.

DOT Secretary Teo herself pushed for Davao to be part of the PHITEX post tour activities as business is usual for Davao tourism.

Smart backs 31st Kadayawan, Davao’s grand festival of bounty and harvest

Mobile leader Smart Communications (Smart) led private sector support for the 31st Kadayawan Festival, which came at the heels of the PLDT wireless unit’s announcement of its plans to accelerate its LTE deployment and other network improvement initiatives in Davao City.

Visitors who flocked to Davao were among the first to enjoy the treats prepared by Smart to celebrate the festival, as Smart booths at the Francisco Bangoy International Airport gave out Philippine eagle plush toys and Kadayawan map-postcards to tourists who purchased Smart pocket wifi devices and prepaid credit packages.

Seeing the city’s need to accommodate higher tourist arrivals, Smart ensured its mobile data network was fortified in the home of the country's president, as it offered prepaid and postpaid subscribers a generous data package so that they could share their Kadayawan experiences online.

GigaSurf50, the country’s first 1GB data offer at only P50, gave local and foreign tourists access to high speed mobile internet for three days, allowing them to browse more websites, share more photos, and stream more videos in their smartphones.

During the opening ceremonies of Kadayawan, Art Boncato, co-chair of the executive committee of this year's celebrations, lauded the support of the private sector.

He said that the support of Smart contributes to the great success of Kadayawan.

“The contributed efforts of the private sector are really indications of an engaged society,” he said. “The returns of the investment that they put in can’t be measured against the wonderful outcome and the results of people coming together as one.”

Boncato said that unity among different industries shows that there is “love” to make the places where they operate a valuable tourism destination.

The tourism officer also lauded the effort of Smart to make internet accessible to more people and tourists. “Connectivity is crucial to the pursuit of success,” he said. “People coming together in events like Kadayawan is always a moment worthy of capturing and sharing. This showcase of Davao to the world makes the destination even more attractive to travellers.”

The events of the Kadayawan—from street parties to bazaars and concerts—drew strong crowds in different parts of the city, adding festive vibes from morning until midnight.

Smart also supported the Great Kadayawan Trade Fair and Bazaar at the Davao Convention and Trade Center. The bazaar returns this year with its biggest installation yet; it featured over 200 booths that carried a wide range of products and services.

During the bazaar, Smart mounted the Smart Zone where subscribers were offered free charging in stations, alongside games and interactive booths like the karaoke challenges by Smart Music Live.

Creativity of subscribers were highlighted in Smart's Own It Launchpad Upload station. The station allowed them to record and upload for chances to collaborate with international YouTube starts and Samsung gadgets.

“The Great Kadayawan Trade Fair and Bazaar highlights exciting products, services, and food offerings in every visitor’s experience,” Boncato said. “The collective Kadayawan vibe in the bazaar is imprinted in every booth and makes trips to the event memorable, transforming retail experiences.”

Visitors of the bazaar who posted in social media using #SmartKadayawan and #SmartDavCon were given special prizes and tickets to Spectrum Philippines' Invasion concert series in Davao.

The Smart Dome in the Kadayawan Invasion concert in the Crocodile Park grounds upped the fun with face painting, do-it-yourself bracelet activities and virtual reality booths.

Partygoers were also able to live come up with jams in a DJ booth, making the Invasion party a night to remember, and the Kadayawan weekend worth remembering.

Why Davao Needs More #DigitalInfluencers

Davao City has been getting a lot of attention lately both in the local and international scene. A lot of people have shown interest in either visiting or investing in Davao. This is where the Digital Influencers are needed to convert these plans and attention into actions.

Davao Digital Influencers, Inc., a newly formed organization here in Davao City was formed to basically utilize its members' influence to create a positive impact in the Davao region community through digital media. DDI is committed to promote the region’s socio-cultural agenda. The group aims to showcase what Davao has to offer in terms of tourism, culture and business opportunities.

The city needs more digital influencers to attract more visitors and investors. Digital Influencers who are responsible and credible, not just any digital savvy. Together, we will make Davao City a better and more progressive place to live.

Thank you to our generous sponsors for supporting Davao Digital Influencers, Inc.

Platinum Sponsor

PLDT HOME is the country’s leading broadband and digital services provider that allows seamless, simultaneous streaming in all your devices at home. Enabling moments that bring your family closer together, PLDT HOME offers Fibr, DSL, Ultera and Telpad services.

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Gold Sponsors

Coca-Cola FEMSA is the largest franchise bottler of Coca-Cola products in the world. The Company has 63 bottling facilities and serves more than 358 million consumers through more than 2,800,000 retailers and over 100,000 employees worldwide.

Locally, the Coca-Cola FEMSA Philippines operates 19 plants and 53 sales offices and distribution centers across the country. It has operates two plants and one Distribution Center in Davao. The first plant was established in May 1950 and is located along MacArthur Highway. The second plant is located in Barangay Darong, Sta. Cruz. Collectively, both plants employ around 350 associates.

The Davao Digital Influencers Inc. is supported by Cebu Pacific, the largest airline operating flights to Davao. It offers seat sales that go as low as P599 all-in, and a network that spans Asia, Australia, the Middle East and Guam. It operates direct flights from Singapore, Manila, Cebu, Iloilo, Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro and Zamboanga to Davao. Book now through bit.ly/DavaoCEB or call 7020-888. The latest seat sales are also up on Cebu Pacific’s Facebook and Twitter pages.