By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo / Special to the BusinessMirror
THE recent state visit of President Duterte to Tokyo, Japan, already bore its first fruit, according to the Department of Tourism (DOT), which welcomed a 12-man group from the Japan capital and from Osaka to Davao City.
In a news statement, Tourism Assistant Secretary for Mindanao Eden L. David said the arrival of the Japan tour group coincided with the lowering of Japan’s travel advisory to Level 1 for Davao City, which allows Japanese tour and travel operators to offer tour packages to Davao City. Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Mofa) raised the travel advisory to Level 2 in the wake of the tragic bomb explosion at the Roxas night market on September 2. A Level 2 travel warning advises Japanese citizens to postpone any planned trips to certain destinations.
“This is quite an eye-opener for these first-time visitors amid a misconception that Davao City is part of a conflict area [Eastern Mindanao], even as West Mindanao authorities here have beefed up security measures,” David said.
A day after the bombing, a Davao tourism officer told the BusinessMirror that the city still projects a 15-percent increase in tourist arrivals this year, hitting almost 2 million visitor arrivals. (See, “Davao: 15% hike in tourist arrivals despite bombing,” in the BusinessMirror, September 3, 2016.)
Tourism Secretary Wanda Corazon T. Teo said the familiarization tour from November 10 to 13 was organized by DOT-Mindanao and the Philippine Airlines, and included trips to the lush Garden of Eden, the Philippine Eagle Center, the Malagos Garden and Davao Marina Tuna, where guests could savor 10 different styles of preparing and cooking tuna.
The fam-tour also included visits to the Duterte residence in Matina district, the Museo de Dabaw and the city’s Rescue 911 command center.
These culminated in an overnight stay at Pearl Farm, a favorite resort of honeymooners on Samal island, and Malipano island, where cultural dances were performed, and local cuisine and exotic fruits were served the Japanese guests.
DOT Tokyo Attaché Gwen S. Batoon, who led the fam-tour group, which included representatives from major travel and tour operators, media editors and travel bloggers, credited the recent state visit of Duterte for the Japanese’ strong interest in travel to
the Philippines.
“President Duterte, along with Secretary Teo, clearly won Mofa’s approval and favorable action during their state visit,” said Batoon, as she informed the DOT Mindanao office of the lowering of Japan’s travel advisory to Davao.
This was confirmed by Japan’s Consul to Davao City Tomoko Dodo. “Ultimately, the proud people of Davao City is its real charm. They are so hospitable and, despite what had happened, I feel safe here more than any place,” he said. Dodo has served as Tokyo’s envoy to Davao City for more than one year.
“President Duterte, who was treated like a rock star during his visit in Tokyo, personifies the pride and charismatic charm of Davaoeños,” Dodo added.
Last year Davao attracted 1.73 million visitor arrivals, of which 1.58 million were domestic travelers, while some 128,620 were foreign tourists.