TOURISM Secretary Wanda Teo said it is business as usual in Davao City amid the recent bombing in a night market in the city last September 2, leaving 15 dead and 70 injured.
“We want to show our friends from abroad that while we sympathize with those who suffered loss and injury in the tragic explosion and echo the nation’s outrage for the senseless act that happened in Davao City recently, life must go on for the people. And this shows that the city remains a safe place for visitors and residents alike. In fact, DoT Mindanao is now working on Davao-Manado flights and chartered Xiamen flights to augment foreign arrivals to the region,” Teo said.
“It is business as usual in Davao,” Teo said during the annual Philippine Travel Exchange 2016 gathered quite a crowd in spite of security concerns following the bombing incident in Davao City Friday night last week.
A total of 201 international buyers from 35 countries and 198 local sellers from 132 companies across the Philippines came for a series of business to business meetings at the Marriott Hotel in Pasay City held from September 4 to 6.
“In the wake of upheavals, discord, uncertainties, and safety concerns, the love of travel and the new experiences it brings far outweighs the fear and helplessness these random, senseless acts can bring,” Teo said.
Citing the World Travel and Tourism Council’s 2016 Economic Impact Report that says global tourism generated 7.2 million jobs and contributed US$ 7.2 trillion to global gross domestic product in 2015, Teo referred to tourism’s strong “potential of bringing cultures and people together” and “build bridges of peace.”
Closer to home, seven buyers from Indonesia, one from Thailand, Switzerland and the US, and three members of the international media are now in Davao City as part of their post-tour activities in the country, according to the tourism chief.
“The Department of Tourism believes that we all have an equal stake in advancing peace in the country. We believe that one way of easing tension in Mindanao is to give importance to the region as one of the top tourist destinations where priority action should be given in designing and implementing product development programs. This initiative is based on the belief that cultural dialogue, through tourism, has a key role to play in the peacemaking process,” Teo emphasized.
Teo also spoke of the world renowned culture of Filipino hospitality and the people’s indomitable spirit.
“You will fall in love not only with the places you will visit but more so with the communities that will welcome you with open arms and open hearts. You will be amazed by the resilience with which we all bounce back stronger,” Teo said.