CTOO, DOT TO HOLD TOUR GUIDE TRAINING

The City Tourism Operations Office and the Department of Tourism Xl will hold a comprehensive regional tour guiding course that will lead to accreditation from May 16 to June 13, 2011 (Monday-Saturday, weekly) in Davao City.

Forty (40) slots are available for interested applicants.  Screening of qualified participants is on April 29, 2011 at the DOT Xl Office, 5F, LandCo Corporate Center, JP Laurel Avenue, Davao City.

For requirements, call the DOT Xl at 221.0070/221.6955, look for Ms. Judy Lagura or Ms. Joanilee Roda. Qualified participants' fees will be partly funded by CTOO and DOT Xl.

DAVAO PLANS NEW TOURISM BRAND

DAVAO CITY -- The local government will unveil within this month a new brand for the city to kick-start its tourism campaign, an official said in a recent interview.

City tourism officer Jason C. Magnaye said Davao City seems to be a "Jack of all trades, master of none" because it lacks a unique offering for tourists; unlike Camarines Sur, for example, which people readily identify With wakeboarding, and Siargao in Surigao del Norte which tourists associate with surfing.

"So many tourism officers get confused as to where to position Davao City. We’re putting everything on the table on how to sum it all up," Mr. Magnaye said.

In recent consultations, prospective Davao brands were presented to tourism industry players, businessmen and academe and these were short-listed to three for the approval of Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.

The city’s chief executive, Mr. Magnaye said, has already chosen the final Davao logo and slogan that will be unveiled in time for the summer tourism campaign.

Part of the campaign is to standardize the services and facilities of hotels, inns, and restaurants in the city, which have registered with the City Tourism Office as a prerequisite for applying a permit from the business bureau.

He said the Department of Tourism’s (DoT) regional office has accredited only 52 out of the 120 hotels and other accommodations in the city, thus enforcement of standards is proving to be difficult.

Davao City has an average of 370,000 visitors annually, or more than half the 650,000 tourists in the region. Mr. Magnaye said the actual figure may be more since only accredited accommodations can be tracked by the DoT.

The city government is looking to come up with a system to accurately determine the number and profile of visitors so it can tweak offerings to fit the market.

Tourism regional director Arturo P. Boncato, Jr. said Davao City seems to be strong in meetings, conventions and exhibitions market because of the diversity of activities and attractions. -- JBE

Davao State of the Art Fitness Centers

Marco Polo Davao Fitness Center

The Marco Polo Hotel, CM Recto Street, Davao
Telephone(s): 082-2210888
Email: davao@marcopolohotels.com

Metro Lifestyle

F. Torres Street corner E. Jacinto Street, Davao

Telephone(s): 082-2286180, 082-2286181, 082-2286182

They have classes ranging from aerobics, aeroboxing, cycling,american bushido kai karate, muay thai and fitness jiu-jitsu.

Holiday Spa & Fitness Center

F. Torres Street, Davao

Telephone(s): 082-2255577, 082-2223041

Badminton and basketball courts, jogging track, 5 lane, 25-meter swimming pool, a climbing wall, cycling and boxing areas, massage and sauna, cafe all in one place. Ample parking.

Smash Ville Fitness Center

2/F AGL Sons Building, R. Magsaysay Ave, Davao

Telephone(s): 082-3055999, 082-3056999

A fitness gym with badminton courts, boxing ring, aerobics and other classes. It’s no surprise that most of the members are chinese. Smashville is located downtown, above the chinese merchants at DCLA.

Rates are around Php1,000 per month. They have discounts for students, senior citizens, and long term memberships. Call to get their latest prices.

Yoga at South Studio Davao

Hot Yoga

Hot Yoga is a series of yoga poses done in a heated room. The room is usually maintained at a temperature of roughly 38 degrees Celsius. A vigorous yoga session at this temperature promotes profuse sweating which rids the body of toxins. It also makes the body very warm, and therefore more flexible.

Asthanga Yoga

Asthanga Yoga involves synchronizing the breath with a progressive series of postures—a process producing intense internal heat and a profuse, purifying sweat that detoxifies muscles and organs. Often called Power Yoga, this method focuses on physical and mental strength. The result is improved circulation, a light and strong body, and a calm mind.

Try some Yoga now South Studio Davao.




South Studio is a large and spacious studio, outfitted with professional and versatile equipment. Change rooms, lockers, towels, showers (with soap & conditioner), and a lounge with Wi-Fi connection available for your comfort and convenience.

Also available is an enclosed deli with healthy food and beverages to serve you.

1st DAVAO SUMMERFEST Activities

Are you planning a trip or thinking of the exciting activities this summer? Experience Davao's newest summer festival on April 29 - May 22 2011. Indeed, Davao city is the first in terms of Summer escapade! Unwind now, only in DAVAO.

DATE                                     EVENT                                        VENUE

April 29-May 1 13th    Davao Horse Show      Davao Riverfront, Maa
                                  & Competition

April 30- May 1          Motocross/ MOTOCANA         Davao Riverfront, Maa

May 6-8                   Beach Volleyball                  Seawall, Matina playa

May 7-8                Frisbee                                 Davao Riverfront, Maa

May 8                   Mountain Bike-                    Downhill Davao Riverfront, Maa

May 8                    Triathlon                              Davao Riverfront, Maa

May 13-15            Judo                                        Gaisano Mall

May 13-15           Wakeboarding                  Deca Wakeboard, Mintal

May 14               Longboard                         Sun City, Diversion Road

May 14                Marathon                               Downtown Davao

May 21-22          Football                            Tionko Field, Quimpo Blvd.

Sunday Feast at the Lotus Court

Whether it’s just a regular Sunday family gathering or your personal diet cheat day, make Lotus Court your lunch destination.
Enjoy its fresh and wide variety of Chinese delicacies, dimsum delights, and other sea food favorites.

The Sunday Lunch Buffet is priced at only Php850.00 net per adult and Php425.00 net per child of ages 6 to 12.
For reservations and inquiries, please call, (082) 221 0888 local 7233.

“Visit Samal Island” Campaign : Fun Activities this Summer

The tourism stakeholders in Samal launched a new marketing campaign to invite more to tourist to visit Island Garden City of Samal,  known as “Visit Samal Island”. The campaign expected to attract hundred thousand  visitors which has the chance to be given with free tickets. These tickets entitled visitors to receive discounts and freebies from the different tourism establishments in Samal Island.

The “Visit Samal Island” campaign is organized by the Local Government of the Island Garden City of Samal in partnership with the Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS) Tourism Council, Samal City Resort Association and the Department of Tourism.

Below is the list of activities in Samal Island courtesy of the Mindanao Tourism Council. The activities are part of the “Visit Samal Island” campaign.

Grand Launching of Visit Samal Island campaign
Press Presentation of Miss Tourism Samal Island Official Candidates
March 19
Venue: Holiday Ocean View

Photo Shoot for Miss Tourism Samal Island Candidates
March 21-22
Venue: Talikud and Kaputian District
Isla Reta, Leticia by the Sea, Babusanta, Kaputian Beach Park,m Capt. Hook’s Red Parrot Inn, Pearl Farm Beach Resort, Hof Gorei Beach Resort, Bandera Botanical Garden, Coral Garden

Swimsuit Presentation and Pictorials
March 29
Venue: Hagimit Falls

Milo Summer Camp
April 6-7
Venue: Samal Gym: Basketball, Fernandez Beach: Swimming

Beach Volleyball – Elimination Round
April 11-15
Venue: Freedom Park

Miss Tourism Samal Island 2011
Talent Show, Fire Dancing, Jingle Writing, Photo Exhibit
April 15
Venue: Camp Holiday

Frisbee Finals
April 16-17
venue: Kaputian Beach Park

Resort Visit/Pictorials Miss Tourism Samal Island 2011
April 18-19
Venue: Fernandez Beach Resort, Maxima Aqua Fun Resort, Bluewaters Village Resort, Mayumi Disney Sea Resort, Punta del Sol Resort, Golden Bay Resort & Spa, Paradise Beach Park, Bluejaz Beach Resort, Camp Holiday Resort & Recreation Area, Rainbow Breeze Resort, Mahan Garden Resort, Precious Garden, Club Asiano Beach Resort, Ilihan Beach Resort, Ocean View, Island Ridge Mountain Resort, H5 Princess Tropical Inland Resort, Florenda Beach Resort

Miss Body Beautiful
April 29-30
Venue: Sea Grass Beach Resort

Motocross
May 1
Venue: Proposed Public Market Site

Resort Visit / Photo Shoot of Candidates
May 3-4
Venue: Resorts and Tourist spots:
May 3 – Talikiud and Kaputian
May 4 – Samal and Babak

Kite-Flying Contest
May 7
Venue: Villarica Wharf

Beach Volleyball Championship
May 9-13
Venue: Kaputian Beach Park

Miss Tourism Samal Island 2011
Grand Coronation Night
May 14
Venue: Samal Gym

Culinary Festival
Food Display Competition, Table Skirting Competition, Table Settings Competition, Fruits and Vegetables Carving, Waiters Relay, Bartending Competition, Table Centerpiece Competition
May 19
Venue: Samal Gym