Davao City opened its doors to Dabawenyos and visitors, welcoming them to rediscover its flavors, stories and tradition as it officially unveiled four new tourism circuits – highlighting the city’s vibrant food culture and diverse local experience.
Willenito P. Tormis Jr., Officer-in-Charge of the City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO) told the City Information Office that the new tourism circuits not only create opportunities for small and medium enterprises but also ensure that the city’s tourism development remains community-centered and sustainable.
“Daghan kaayo og pwede ioffer ang Davao City, we just need to explore. Also, atoa pod ni siyang buhaton into a tour kay ang mga Dabawenyos ug ang mga turista, naga search lang sila sa Tiktok, naga search sila sa Facebook kung asa muadto. Kani gyud, naa nagyud ta’y specialized nga tour or circuit for them para ma aware ug kabalo sila kung unsa ang mga step by step, kung unsa pod ang mga best flavors and food na gina offer sa Davao City (Davao City has a lot to offer, we just need to explore. Also, we should turn this into a tour because the people of Davao and tourists just search on TikTok, they search on Facebook to find out where to go. This one, we really have a specialized tour or circuit so they will be aware and know the step-by-step process, as well as the best flavors and food that Davao City has to offer),” he said.
The Furusato Davao, with “Furusato” meaning “hometown” captures the historical and cultural ties between Davao and the Japanese community, which played a pivotal role in shaping the city’s economic growth and historical identity.
Davao Market Experience and Downtown Food Crawl immersed tourists in the city’s bustling markets that leads them on a flavorful trail through establishments, offering a nostalgic yet vibrant taste of dishes that generations of Dabawenyos have cherished throughout the decades.
Meanwhile, the Davao Abundant Harvest features the city’s agricultural heritage through immersive farm-to-table strengthening the city’s standing as a premier Agri-tourism destination.
Gracie Plata, Tourism Relations Specialist II of CTOO said that while Davao previously offered two validated tourism circuits, the city tour and the countryside tour, the launching of the four new ones now positions the city as a destination that encourages visitors to discover and experience more of what Davao has to offer.
She added that the new circuits are meant to give both tourists and Dabawenyos a more immersive and fresh ways to enjoy the city.
“Gina awhag nato ang mga Dabawenyos and from other region nga to patronize and visit our tourism sites. Not only that but also our neighboring provinces from all over the Philippines. Let us patronize our local products. Wag maging dayuhan sa sariling bayan, so visit all our tourism establishments and patronize our local shops (We encourage the Dabawenyos and those from other regions to patronize and visit our tourism sites. Not only that but also our neighboring provinces all over the Philippines. Let us patronize our local products. Don’t be a stranger in your own country, so visit all our tourism establishments and patronize our local shops,” she added.
As summer unfolds, the CTOO invites everyone to rediscover Davao and experience local products proudly crafted by Dabawenyos. CIO
Written by: K. Malasado
Edited by: A. Nawal
Photos by: J. Faelnar & E. Morata