DOT positive on Mindanao farm tours

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Tourism (DOT) is optimistic that its recently-launched Davao chocolate and fruit tours will be well received by the public despite the extension of martial law in Mindanao.

Tourism Assistant Secretary Eden Josephine David told reporters the extension of martial law would make tourists availing their chocolate and fruit tours feel safer.

“With the martial law extension, we are even more confident that Davao and the rest of Mindanao will be very fruitful. With all the support coming from the peace and order sector, then all the more it’s very timely to visit because you have all the assurance that once you go to this destination, you are really safe because everybody is on their toes to ensure the protection of the tourists,” David said.

“And it’s just to ensure that everything will flow according to the mandate of the president’s orders, exactly how the development should take place, relative to Marawi, but that’s another functionary who is handling that,” David added.

The mandate of the DOT is really to promote the tourism products of the Philippines and despite the extension of martial law in Mindanao, the department will continue to fulfill its duties, he said.

“But for the tourism sector, we’re really here to promote and we really believe in the products. There’s no question about the viability of the product,” David said.

Last week, the DOT launched a series of Davao fruit and chocolate tours, in line with its farm tourism program.

Among the tour packages offered by the program are the Durian Challenge, the Chocolate Tour Overload and the Banana Delight package.

The Davao Chocolate Tours Overload offers tourists an educational tour about the transformation of the cocoa fruit into chocolate. The Davao region is the number one producer of cacao in the country. The tour package is in coordination with the Cacao Industry Development Association of Mindanao.

“We’re very happy that the private sector of Davao is very willing to collaborate with the Department of Tourism as to the promotion of its products,” David said.

Tourism Secretary Wanda Corazon Teo earlier said there is continued optimism for the tourism sector’s growth despite the extension of martial law in Mindanao.