Mindanao expects more tourist arrivals in 2017
In a report published by Philippine News Agency, Mindanao expects tourist arrivals to increase up to 20% in 2017.
Francisco Bangoy International Airport in Davao City, Philippines (Image grabbed from mindanaotourism.com)
According to Eden David, assistant secretary of Department of Tourism-Mindanao, the “Mindanao Tourism Agenda” will go on a full-blown scale by next year, but the target increase will still depend on the logistic support in infrastructure.
David added that there would be a memorandum of agreement to be signed next week and, hopefully, an initial draft will be submitted to Malacanang by the end of 2016.
In line with the agenda, DOT-Mindanao will also be offering missionary tours through Davao Metro Shuttle Company’s “Go Mindanao Tourist Bus” by March 2017 with 400 luxury bus units to transport tourists to around 300 tourist destinations within the island.
In addition, the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority will set up information centers to a house souvenir shop, a mini restaurant, shower, restroom, locker and even a prayer room.
Samal Circumferential Road and a bridge connecting Davao City to Samal Island will also be built to increase road connectivity within the Davao Region by 80% next year.
In 2015, data from DOT-Mindanao showed 8.5 million tourist arrivals in the island.
Sources: Philippine News Agency, mindanaotourism.com
