DAVAO CITY – In an effort to boost tourism in the city, the local government of Davao City is developing new tourism circuits that will feature the “uniqueness” of the city.
Gracie Plata, tourism relations specialist of the City Tourism Operations Office says they are currently working on Davao eco-tourism circuit featuring durian, cacao (chocolate) products.
“This is an agri eco-tourism circuit which consists of farm visits in cacao and durian plantations, and vineyards like Arbor Farms, Torrentira and Taglucop, we have vineyards that are what we are currently working on right now,” Plata said.
She says Davao City is well-known for the abundance of Durian, and chocolates that originated from its cacao farms have gained global acclaim.
Another circuit on the works is a Davao historical circuit that will take visitors on a tour of Davao City’s Japanese heritage.
“We would like to highlight the ties of Japan and Davao City. We plan to collaborate with Barangay Mintal and the other barangays known to have Japanese influence.,” Plata said.
Barangay Mintal and the adjacent barangays in the city’s Third District were once the home of a prosperous pre-war Japanese community centered around the abaca industry. The area was once known as “Little Tokyo”.
Another planned circuit is the Davao City Food Crawl which will involve different restaurant rows around the city.
“Yung ano ang pwede mapuntahan and makainan sa community yan yung isali sa circuit,” Plata said of the circuit which will highlight Davao culinary scene.
(Where can we visit and eat in that community that we will add in the circuit.)
There is also the Davao art circuit where they will be working closely with museums and galleries in the city.
Plata said they hope to launch these circuits during Kadayawan Festival this August.
For the coming Duaw Davao Festival (Visit Davao) this whole month of June they have developed a city tour which will highlight what is unique in the city. This is in line with the new tourism tagline “Definitely Davao.”
The tour will take visitors to the Philippine Eagle Center, Gran Verde cacao farm, Museo Dabawenyo, the new City Library and the Davao City 911 Public Safety and Security Office. (Rudolph Alama)
20
