By Baby Gomez
The Guam Visitors Bureau (GVB) is eyeing Davao as its potential tourism market in Southern Philippines.
In an interview during his visit to Davao City last week, Herbert Arabelo, president of the Guam Visitors Bureau Phils. cited Davao City and the provinces as a good market for tourists given the increasing number of Filipino tourists going to Guam.
Guam as a tourist destination is one place Davaoenos must see these days , he said.
Arabelo stressed now is the time to go out and see the beautiful places in Guam, when the dollar rate is low and the weather is good both here and in Guam. Guam has two seasons, dry season from January to May and the rainy season from July to November, June and December.
With the current exchange rate between P 45.00 to 46.00 a dollar, Pinoys can get their moneys worth as compared to last years exchange, he said.
Guam which is an island territory of the United States is a safe to visit and only three hours away by plane, which is just like traveling to Japan, Arabelo added.
Its attractions include tropical beaches and waterfalls to historic monuments and museums, not to mention shopping in malls. It has the Guam Premier Outlets, Micronesia Mall, owned by Filipino-Chinese tycoon Lucio Tan, Agana Shopping Center, Tumon Sands Plaza, Duty-Free Shop (DFS) Galleria and K-Marts 24-hours shopping and also outlets of high-end retail outlets like Gucci, Christian Dior, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Cartier Boutique, Just International and, Macys.
Arabelo added that Guam is one of the least expensive dive training places in the world, where the tallest ocean mountain is located and the worlds deepest point, the Marianas Trench. It has one of the most diverse coral reef areas in the United States.
Because of its tropical weather, Guam offers a multitude of activities. Luxurious international-standard hotels are set in landscaped gardens on the beaches of Tumon Bay while a few hotels are located in the southern and central parts of the island. Business hotels abound in Guam, too.
It is also a perfect place for sports enthusiasts particularly scuba-diving, wind-surfing, snorkeling and, of course, golf, he said.
Guam. like the Philippines has village-wide fiesta celebrations, its cuisine, a mixture of Spanish-Filipino and Pacific dishes which will surely make the Pinoys trip more enjoyable.
Arabelo added Guam is a place for the romantics because of its beautiful and pristine wedding chapels with weddings in Guam becoming more popular with young couples. There is also its baywalk and night life which includes night market shopping and its many bars, lounges and clubs. (PIA XI/bcgomez) (davaotoday.com)
