Davao City in the Philippines is gearing up for a new chapter in tourism to its people, culture, and lesser-known destinations in the spotlight. With Willenito P. Tormis stepping in as the new Officer-in-Charge of the City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO), the city is focusing strongly on community-based tourism as the future of its travel story.
Davao City In The Philippines Plans New Community-Led Tourism Circuits
Davao still has many places that tourists haven’t fully discovered yet. Instead of only promoting popular spots, the city now wants to bring these hidden areas into focus, Travel and Tour World reported. The goal is to allow visitors to experience the city through its people, traditions, and natural surroundings.
One of the primary objectives is the development of new tourism circuits and curated tours. These circuits will connect different communities and experiences with local food, everyday life, cultural traditions, and scenic landscapes. By doing this, Davao hopes to offer tourism that feels personal, interactive, and deeply rooted in local culture.
According to Travel and Tour World, to make sure this vision turns into reality, Tormis plans to create a dedicated unit within the CTOO focused entirely on community-based tourism. In order to help communities create tourism opportunities that fit their needs and pace, this team will work closely with them, particularly those in remote areas.
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Local Communities To Play Key Role
The plan heavily relies on infrastructure. Many of Davao’s most beautiful and culturally rich areas currently lack basic facilities needed to welcome tourists comfortably. Under the new leadership, improving essentials like public restrooms, tourism centres, and visitor receiving areas is a top priority, Travel and Tour World reported.
A standout feature of this tourism strategy is consultation. The city plans to speak directly with residents in tourism areas to understand what kind of support they need and what kind of tourism they want. Davao City is also planning to collaborate closely with the Department of Tourism (DOT) to get official accreditation for community-based tourism sites. It will also give these community-led destinations more visibility.
This new approach focuses on creating a tourism model that is deeply rooted in local culture, sustainable, and inclusive.
Cover Image Courtesy: Canva/Suriy
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