The Department of Tourism (DOT) successfully staged the second edition of the Mindanao Tourism Expo (MTEx), bringing together over 100 exhibitors at the Atrium, Limketkai Center, Cagayan de Oro City from April 26 to 28, 2024.
With the theme “Limitless Adventures in Mindanao,” this edition of the MTEx highlighted the thrilling adventure destinations travelers can find across the host region, Northern Mindanao, as well as other regions in the island group, including Zamboanga Peninsula (Region 9), Davao Region (Region 11), Soccsksargen (Region 12), CARAGA (Region 13) and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), as it seeks to strengthen Cagayan de Oro City's position as a major Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) hub in Mindanao.
Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, Misamis Oriental Governor Peter Unabia, Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Rolando “Klarex” Uy, together with public and private sector tourism stakeholders do the "Love the Philippines" pose at the opening ceremony of the second Mindanao Tourism Expo at the Atrium, Limketkai Center, Cagayan de Oro City last April 26.
“The Mindanao Tourism Expo is a flagship program of the Marcos administration that recognizes the massive potential of Mindanao to help the Philippines accomplish the President’s vision of transformation nga ang Pilipinas mao ang mahimo nga sunod na Asia’s next tourism powerhouse (That the Philippines could be the next Asia's tourism powerhouse). Naa dinhi ang Mindanao ang susi sa kalambuan sa atung turismo (Mindanao holds the key to the success of our tourism),” DOT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said in her keynote speech during the expo's opening Friday (April 26).
“It is here (in Mindanao) where we find countless breathtaking landscapes, delectable and unique cuisines, the richness of culture, and, most of all, we find the essence of our nation's greatest asset—love, care, and an unparalleled hospitality by our brothers and sisters in Mindanao. Mindanao, without a doubt, stands as a beacon of national pride for the Philippines—a testament to the beauty and resilience of our country,” she added.
The Tourism chief joined Misamis Oriental Governor Peter Unabia, Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Rolando “Klarex” Uy, together with provincial officials and congressmen, private sector tourism stakeholders, and DOT officials, in unlocking bamboo doors symbolizing unity, prosperity, cultural diversity, bountiful treasures, and a fifth door of "limitless adventures" to mark the start of the three-day expo.
In addition to the product presentations and selling booths participated in by all DOT Regional Offices, a business-to-business (B2B) forum for travel and tourism players took place at the Mallberry Suites Business Hotel on the expo's second day (Apr. 27), with post-tours across Northern Mindanao destinations such as Camiguin, CDO-Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, and Misamis Occidental from April 29 to May 1, 2024.
“Pagkahuman niiini ang atung mga stakeholders nga mibisita dinhi sa Mindanao, dad-o nila ang manindot kaayo na balita sa ilang mga lugar na ready na ang Mindanao alang sa turismo (After this, our stakeholders who visited here in Mindanao will bring back very good news about their places, stating that Mindanao is now ready for tourism),” the DOT chief said.
In his message, Governor Unabia called on the public to experience the diversity of experiences and offerings in Mindanao.
"Together, we showcase the richness of our landscapes, the warmth of our hospitality, and the warmth of our heritage beyond the misconceptions of Mindanao. Together, hand in hand, we can build a place where peace and order prevail, where every visitor can thrive in harmony. Mindanao is more than just what meets the eye; it is truly a treasure trove of natural wonders. Beyond its breathtaking sceneries, it is the people of Mindanao who truly make it a destination like no other. Our hospitality, our adaptability to change, and the culture are the heart and the soul of this island," the governor said.
Meanwhile, Uy expressed his gratitude to the DOT for choosing Cagayan de Oro as the venue of the second MTEx.
"I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Secretary Frasco and the entire Department of Tourism family for bringing this prestigious event to our city, allowing us to shine a spotlight on the rich tapestry of sights, sounds, and flavors that make Mindanao a must-visit destination," Mayor Uy said.
"The City of Golden Friendship will continue to strengthen its goal of positioning herself as the MICE center, and preferred and priority city destination in this part of the country for organizers and participants of (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Events)," the mayor enthused.
DOT's support to Mindanao to continue
Highlighting the unrivaled sights, delectable cuisine, rich and diverse culture, biodiversity, and the warmth and hospitality of people across the provinces Mindanao, Frasco shared that one of the first things she saw as a priority upon her assumption of role as DOT chief is the full opening, promotion, and development of Mindanao.
“While we continue to promote our award-winning and well-known destinations, we ensure that no one is left behind in the development of tourism in the Philippines, which is precisely why we have mounted the Mindanao Tourism Expo–to provide opportunities for our destinations in this region and, as well, to open the eyes of the Philippines to the beauty of Mindanao,” the DOT chief enthused.
In line with the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) 2023-2028 of the Marcos administration, the DOT has prioritized the most basic components for the country’s tourism development, including infrastructure, connectivity, digitalization, enhancement of tourist experience, and stronger tourism governance between public and private tourism stakeholders.
Frasco delivers her keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the second Mindanao Tourism Expo held at The Atrium, Limketkai Center, Cagayan de Oro City. In her message, the DOT chief reiterated Mindanao as ‘key’ to the country's tourism transformation under the Marcos administration.
Identified by the President as urgent, the DOT has embarked on enhancing the overall tourist experience, Secretary Frasco shared, launching Tourist Rest Areas (TRAs) across the Philippines, with two from the initial batch of TRAs constructed in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon and Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS) in Davao del Norte, while constructing more in other provinces in Mindanao within the year.
The DOT also launched the Tourism Champions Challenge (TCC) which seeks to incentivize tourism projects of local government units (LGUs) that are sustainable, inclusive and resilient, including five winners from Mindanao.
The department also launched its nationwide cultural tourism product development program called the Philippine Experience Program (PEP), which intends to herald all there is to love about the Philippines in all aspects of the travel and tourism experience, seeing successful runs in Davao Region last year, and Zamboanga Peninsula earlier this year, inviting tourism stakeholders, travel and tour operators, media and members of the diplomatic corps.
The growing attention for the Philippines from tourists across the globe, Secretary Frasco noted, is evinced by the country's recent breaching of the two-million visitor arrival mark in the first three months of 2024.
“The world has continued to love the Philippines. We have just breached the two million mark in international arrivals, and if the success in Philippine tourism from 2023 is any indication, there is much reason to be hopeful and optimistic for the future of tourism all over the country,” Secretary Frasco concluded.
Frasco leads provincial and local government leaders of Region 10 (Northern Mindanao) in playing the Maranao kulintang to formally open the second Mindanao Tourism Expo on April 26 at the Atrium, Limketkai Center, Cagayan de Oro City.
Among the provincial and local officials present at the event were Cagayan de Oro City Vice Mayor Jocelyn Rodriguez and City Councilors, Bukidnon 1st District Representative Jose Manuel Alba, Bukidnon 4th District Representative Laarni Lavin Roque, Misamis Oriental 1st District Representative Christian Unabia, Camiguin Governor XJ Romualdo represented by Board Member Peter Dann Romualdo, Lanao del Norte Vice Governor Allan Lim, Bayugan City Mayor Kirk Asis, Oroquieta City Vice Mayor Aurora Virginia Almonte, municipal mayors and board members in Northern Mindanao, as well as private sector officials including Tourism Congress of the Philippines (TCP) president James Montenegro and TCP vice president for Visayas Peter Tay.
Also present were Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Secretary Maria Belen Acosta, DOT Undersecretary and OIC-Chief of Staff Shahlimar Hofer Tamano, Undersecretary Ferdinand “Cocoy” Jumapao, Undersecretary Myra Paz Valderosa-Abubakar, OIC-Undersecretary Verna Buensuceso, Assistant Secretary Rica Bueno, Central Office and Regional Directors including RD Marie Elaine S. Unchuan (DOT-10), RD Tanya Virginia P. Rabat-Tan (DOT-11), Regional Director Nelia R. Arina (DOT-12), and RD Ivonnie Dumadag (DOT-13), together with Bureau of Tourism Director Marites K. Maguindra of the BARMM.
Comments