Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio says the local government recognizes Japan, Singapore and Malaysia as priority markets. (Photo by City Information Office)
DAVAO CITY, Philippines –The city is set to focus and strengthen foreign promotions with three neighboring Asian countries to further boost its tourism industry, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said.
In her speech during the State of the City Address on Tuesday, September 12, Duterte-Carpio said the city recognizes Japan, Singapore and the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur, as “priorities” in terms of tourism promotions.
The Mayor said they have “prioritized foreign promotions” in Japan because they “have a soft spot for Davao ” while Singapore and Malaysia have already established direct flights to the city.
The Japanese government and some private organizations have partnered with the city government in different projects including the recently launched Bio-Diesel Project in Maa, Davao City, the solid waste management “Grassroot Project”, the Davao-Samal Bridge, and the Mindanao Railway.
Currently, Davao has a direct route to Singapore, while its link to Kuala Lumpur will launch in December.
“For the KL and Singapore tourists, we are diligently working on the halal food industry in our city and have faced the challenge in getting the national standard guidelines for halal operations to be implemented by the City Government. As a start, we are open to investors to put up a halal slaughterhouse within government property,” Duterte-Carpio said.
She also recognized “the great potential” of Korea and China tourists and said the markets are considered as “second priority”.
Despite the prevailing implementation of Martial law in Mindanao, Davao City was still able to note 932,839 tourist arrivals from January to June 2017 with an estimated P31-billion economic benefit. (davaotoday.com)
davao city, Japan, malaysia, sara duterte, Singapore
