Davao: northern gateway to Manado for World Ocean Summit

The World Ocean Summit in Manado, Indonesia on May 11-15, 2009 is an opportunity that travel and tour operators of Davao must consider as early as now. The city should take advantage of this important event and cash in on its ripple effects across the Celebes Sea.

Davao may be considered as the “northern gateway” to Manado. North Sulawesi’s Sam Ratulangi Airport can be reached through Jakarta and Bali to its south, via Singapore to its west and Davao to the north.

Like the Summit on Climate Change in Bali, Indonesia last year, thousands of participants to the conference are expected like heads of states, top scientists and academicians, environmentalists, NGOs, media and others will be flying to Manado and Davao can offer its northern passage.

Davao has direct flights from Hongkong and Taipei (Cebu Pacific) which could play as hub for participants flying in from Europe, North Asia and North America. The Davao Manado route is being service now by Merpati Airlines.

There will be plenty of opportunities for pre and post conference activities around the month of May and Davao can hold or host a number of these to take advantage of the presence of eminent personalities, Laviña added.

Special tours and exposure trips to the participants to the city showcasing its best practices in marine conservation like the turtle sanctuary, mangrove forest and the Davao Gulf Development initiative.

Davao City should not miss this opportunity to play a supporting role with Manado being its sister city and active partner in the BIMP EAGA initiatives.