ZAMBOANGA CITY—The Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) are awaiting the final go-signal to two new connections in the East Asean Growth Area, as the DOT called on Filipino millennials to tap its “Go South” travel promotions.
The DOT held in late-February a consultation here with the business and travel and tours sectors on the probable benefit and opportunities opened for this city once Cebu Pacific Air starts its announced Zamboanga City-Sandakan, Malaysia air route, adding to the bustling Zamboanga City-Kota Kinabalu route in Malaysia.
Tourism Secretary Wanda Corazon T. Teo said the reopening of the Sandakan route would “bring enormous benefits” to stakeholders of both countries.
“There is already a healthy flow of economic activity between these gateways,” she said.
Zamboanga “is a natural geographical gateway and it was proven last year when it handled 8,870 aircraft movements, moved 1 million passengers and 13 million cargos,” she said.
The proposed route, she added, would cut down travel by a significant 45 minutes, from the current sea transportation by the “roll-on, roll-off” (Ro-ro) cargo ship that takes 14 hours.
“The reduction of travel time would open up new possibilities for tourists who do not have the luxury of time,” she added.
The other connection awaited for final confirmation this March would be the Buliluyan, Palawan-Kudat, Malaysia, a cruise tourism venture between these two points.
The sea connection would follow closely the launch last year of the Ro-ro route between Davao City and General Santos City in Mindanao, and with the bustling city of Bitung in Indonesia. The route has been stalled, however, over cargo volume issue.
“We are optimistic with the upcoming cruise tourism,” Teo said.
She added the two upcoming air and sea connections would boost the department promotions to Filipino millennials to “go south,” adding “we believe in the vast tourism offerings of the island, including the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, specifically Tawi-Tawi.”
“With its beautiful beaches and its location as a natural gateway, there is vast potential for the island,” she said.
Thus, she added, “the proposal of MinDA to develop the Tawi-Tawi integrated seaport and economic zone would prove to be a worthwhile endeavor.”