DOT promises more support for tourism in Mindanao

By: Bobby E. Lagsa – 6 minutes ago

COOL SCENE Farmers in Talakag, Bukidnon, use horses to transport produce from their farms as Mount Kitanglad, a national park, looms in the distance in this November 2023 photo. Talakag’s cool climate and vast landscape make it one of Northern Mindanao’s favorite agritourism destinations. BOBBY E. LAGSA

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines – The Department of Tourism (DOT) is pushing hard to attract international and local tourists to Mindanao as the peace and security situation in the region has vastly improved compared to a decade ago.

“The truth is that Mindanao is peaceful and the island is ready for domestic and international tourists,” Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said during the opening of the second Mindanao Tourism Expo (MTEx) here Friday.

The expo, which ran from April 26 to 28, aimed to promote the tourist destinations of Mindanao’s six regions. It featured tourist spots, “pasalubong” (gift) products and discounted tour packages. The expo also featured promotional displays from regions outside Mindanao.

READ: DOT prepares tourism plan for Mindanao

Frasco said tourism, given its enormous potential, could take Mindanao’s economy to greater heights. Therefore, the DOT, the Department of National Defense and the Department of the Interior and Local Government had signed a joint agreement on the development of tourism in Mindanao with peace and order. as basis.

Outdated advice

Frasco explained that the national government has made every effort to work with local governments to change tourists’ perception that Mindanao is a dangerous place to visit as the country’s soldiers and police have done their best to to keep the region safe for its residents. and for tourists.

READ: DOT partners with DILG and DND to market Mindanao as a peaceful tourist spot

The arrivals of tourists in Mindanao, especially foreigners, have been dampened by travel advisories from their respective governments. To address this, the DOT has had several contacts with foreign dignitaries highlighting tourist destinations across the island to show that it is peaceful and ready to serve tourists, Frasco said.

“We have invited dignitaries, members of the embassies that have existing travel advisories against the Philippines and Mindanao, so that they can see for themselves that their advisories are outdated and it is time to lift and revise them,” Frasco stressed.

Cagayan de Oro Mayor Rolando Uy also assured foreign tourists that Mindanao local governments are doing their part to maintain peace and order “because we wanted you to feel safe while enjoying our destinations.”

Arrivals

DOT data showed that at least 7.1 million tourists visited Mindanao in 2022. A major destination region is Northern Mindanao or Region 10 (comprising the provinces of Camiguin, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Lanao del Norte and Bukidnon, and the highly urbanized cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan), which received approximately 3 million tourists annually. before the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March 2020.

The number of tourists in Northern Mindanao dropped to just 650,000 in 2020 due to lockdowns and other health-related travel restrictions. However, in 2023, the number of arrivals in the region rose to 2.5 million, said Juan Carlos Valentino Baclig, DOT-10’s head of marketing and promotion.

According to Baclig, the expo hoped to emulate the success of the first MTEx, which brought more tourists to Mindanao.

“Hopefully we can see an increase in the number of tourists after the expo in the third and fourth quarters of this year. Like the first expo in Davao, the number of tourists has increased from 1.6 million in 2022 to 2.5 million in 2023,” he said.

“Whether you are looking for adventure or cultural explorations, Mindanao has so much to offer,” said Peter Unabia, Governor of Misamis Oriental.

“Together we have showcased the richness of our landscapes, the warmth of our hospitality and our heritage. Mindanao is a treasure trove of natural wonders,” Unabia added.