THE four-day familiarity tour (famtour) in Davao City for the 10 international buyers had cemented foreign tourists' interest in the city.
Department of Tourism (DOT)-Davao regional director Roberto Alabado III told VoxPop Davao in a text message that the famtour all visitors committed to escalate tourism-related support to Davao City.
The famtour was on June 23 to 26.
The participants of the tour are from China, Russia, Malaysia and Indonesia, who participated in the recently-concluded Asia Premium Travel Mart (APTM) 2017, a travel and tourism trade show co-presented by the Tourism Promotions Board last June 21 to 22.
"The Malaysian buyer is excited to give his clients a new destination while the Chinese are excited about Kadayawan Durian feast," he said.
Alabado added that the Indonesian wants more information on Halal readiness of the city so he can market Davao.
"While the Russians are bent to push this (initiative) given the good ties between Russia and Philippines," he said.
The foreign buyers visited Philippine Eagle Foundation Center, Malagos Resort, Pearl Farm, Hijo Plantation Resort, and the hotels of Seda, Waterfront Insular, and Marco Polo.
The famtour in Davao (also two tours were conducted simultaneously in Bohol-Dumaguete and Cebu-Bohol) was arranged to help shed light on the negative publicity on the tourism industry here and of Mindanao, brought about by the declaration and implementation of Martial Law in the island.
Last Friday, June 23, a product update activity with the APTM participants was conducted at Seda-Abreeza Hotel.
"The informal gathering involved quick presentations on Davao tourism offerings and an informal networking activity among our local tourism stakeholders," Alabado said.
