Davao City is opening its doors to tourists with the launch of the Davao Market Experience Familiarization Tour, which began on Wednesday, March 18. The initiative offers participants an immersive journey into the city’s vibrant food culture at Bankerohan Public Market, one of Davao’s busiest and most iconic marketplaces. Designed to engage all five senses, visitors can see fresh and colorful produce, smell the rich aromas of local foods, hear the bustling rhythm of the market, touch artisanal and farm products, and taste authentic flavors directly from the source.
Organized by the Davao City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO), the tour also highlights the city’s vast agricultural landscape spanning 244,000 hectares, with 98,000 hectares dedicated to farming.
“This is an important step in transforming a developed tour into a shared experience, connecting people to the food that sustains Davao City every day,” said Olan Emboscado, tour guide and researcher for the CTOO. He noted that the initiative aims to strengthen appreciation for Davao’s culinary heritage while promoting community-based tourism that reflects the city’s local identity and traditions.
A Taste of Davao’s Culinary Treasures
Participants were treated to visits at various local stalls and establishments, including the historic 54-year-old Delmar Painitan, celebrated for traditional delicacies like Puto Maya, Biko, Sapin-Sapin, Sikwate, and Kinutil. The tour also included tastings from Gulf Coast Coffee and Co., known for its specialty coffee beans, and Cacao de Davao, which offers premium cacao products. Visitors also explored Davao’s famed flower markets, further highlighting the city’s rich agricultural diversity.
“This tour brings stakeholders closer to local vendors, products, and the daily life of the market,” said Grace Plata, tourism relations specialist of the CTOO and focal person for the Tourism Circuit Development Project. Pia Lourdes Partoza, former president of the Davao Travel Agencies Association, added that such initiatives create opportunities to diversify tourism offerings.
“It is important to create new products that cater to specific markets, such as culinary enthusiasts who want to experience local dishes. This helps showcase Davao as a unique culinary melting pot,” Partoza shared.
Expanding Davao’s Tourism Horizons
The Davao Market Experience is part of a broader effort by the city government, in partnership with the Department of Tourism, to develop and validate new tourism circuits. Other recently launched circuits include the Davao Food Crawl, Davao Abundant Harvest (agro-tourism), and Furusato Davao, which explores the city’s pre-war Japanese heritage.
“Our mission is to connect Davao City not just for Davaoeños but also to everyone who wants to visit here, focusing on community-based tourism and new experiences,” said CTOO officer-in-charge Willenito Tormis Jr.
By highlighting Davao’s rich culinary culture and agricultural heritage, the city is creating new opportunities for local businesses while positioning itself as a must-visit destination for tourists. This initiative not only supports economic growth but also fosters pride among Filipinos, encouraging both locals and visitors to appreciate and preserve the country’s vibrant food traditions.
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