Davao City continues to draw domestic and foreign tourists and in just five months arrivals already hit the one million mark.
City Tourism Operation Office (CTOO) chief Gene Rose Tecson attributed the huge increase in the tourist arrivals to major events hosted by the city.
Tecson said the city might hit three million tourist arrivals at the end of the year. The city is putting in place strategic plans to achieve the three million target.
She said the city government will also make sure the strict monitoring of tourists, who register in self-styled accommodation facilities such as those with AirBNB.
According to Tecson, the number of tourists during the five months period was collated only from registered accommodation facilities such as hotels and dormitories.
“We are trying to lobby with these self-styled accommodation owners that they should get a business permit to help us with the gathering of tourist arrival (figures) and we can also help them through promoting their businesses,” she said.
Tecson said he office will continue to reach out with the owners of self-styled accommodations to get their cooperation for the security of the city and the safety of the visitors. CIO
