DAVAO CITY — Cathay Dragon, the Cathay Pacific Group’s regional airline, is adding two more flights between Davao City and Hong Kong for the summer season to cater to higher demand from holiday travelers.

Camille S. Rosales, Cathay Dragon sales executive for Mindanao, said there will be Thursday and Saturday flights from April 4 to May 4. This is in addition to the four times a week flights launched in October 2018.

The airline has also partnered with the SM Malls’ Shop, Dine, Fly to HongKong promo, with five round-trip tickets to be given away for every SM mall.

“We are happy to collaborate. In fact, most of our travel events partnered with SM,” Ms. Rosales said in an interview last Monday.

The strong passenger traffic has been mainly from balikbayans, overseas Filipino workers, tourists and business travelers. From Hong Kong, there has also been an increasing interest in Davao as a tourism destination.

Tourism stakeholders in Davao Region welcomed the additional flights as a boost to the sector, especially with the holding of the annual Visit Davao Summer Festival (VDSF) from April to June.

VDSF, a private sector-led program in coordination with the local government units, includes events and activities on sports and adventure, culture and arts, food, health and wellness, and shopping.

“This is good news for us as it means that more people in Hong Kong are now aware of Davao as a destination. Our summer activities, whether city or private sector-led, will enhance their visit,” said Generose D. Tecson, officer-in-charge of the Davao City Tourism Operations Office.

In Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur, Municipal Tourism Officer Julius R. Paner said there is a good market in Hong Kong for adventure tourism, which the town offers.

Mr. Paner cited that the owner of Hong Kong-based Asia Trail Master (ATM) is in constant communication with them for mountain races not only in Davao del Sur but the entire region.

Mr. Paner said ATM is looking at organizing mountain races around Mindanao, starting with Mt. Apo and Mt. Hamiguitan in Davao Oriental as sites for the trail master series.

“This summer, the Mt. Apo Sky and Vertical Race is an ATM-accredited event. It’s unfortunate though that Mt. Apo is closed for now (to avoid forest fires due to El Niño) but I’m sure its not for long,” he said. — Maya M. Padillo

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR