Selling Travel June 19

SPONSORED FEATURE
Davao City
Capital of the Philippines’ second-largest and southernmost island, Davao City is Qatar
Airways' newest destination, launching June 18. Laura Gelder finds out more
The sprawling city of Davao is the capital
of Mindanao, a province known as the
bread basket of the Philippines as well
as being home to the country's most
ethnically diverse population, including
many indigenous tribes.
It’s a relatively modern city in a troubled
region and agents should check for the
latest Foreign and Commonwealth Office
advice on Davao and Mindanao before they
book a holiday. But with its cosmopolitan
attractions surrounded by unique nature
and some of the country’s most beautiful
beaches, Davao is sure to be a tourism star
of the future.
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City life
For a quick history lesson, visitors should
head to Davao Museum to peruse galleries
on local tribes and Muslim communities,
historical landmarks and memorabilia which
will give cultural context to the region.
Davao has a number of shopping malls
but for local goods Aldevinco, next to the
People's Park, is crammed with stalls where
Mindanao's locals sell their handicrafts,
including colourful malong blankets and
batik-dyed clothing.
Local coffee chain Blugre is a good spot
for a snack and visitors can try its famous
durian coffee and durian cheesecake -
durian being the world's smelliest fruit!
Green themes
Davao is a city of superlatives. Towering
over it is the Philippines’ highest mountain,
Apo, it’s home to the largest eagle in the
world and you’ll find some of the world’s
largest fruit in its markets.
THE RARE PHILIPPINE EAGLE
In fact, nature is never very far away in
Davao. The Davao Riverfront Complex
houses the Crocodile Park, one of the
city’s most popular attractions which
houses a variety of wildlife as well as the
Davao Butterfly House and the Tribu
K’Mindanawan cultural village.
The Philippine Eagle Center is home to
these huge and critically endangered birds,
who are cosseted in a forested enclosure
in the foothills of Mount Apo along with an
COLONIAL ARCHITECTURE
array of other reptiles and birds.
Parks and gardens are abundant in Davao.
If you’re just looking for a quick stroll, the
expansive and breezy People’s Park is a
good choice. The Malagos Garden Resort is
home to many beautiful blooms including
the endemic Waling-Waling orchid. Visitors
can also explore the Malagos Chocolate
Museum, visit the bird watching deck or bird
feeding dome or relax in the Zen Garden or
Waling Forest.
THE DETAILS
TIME ZONE: GMT +8
CURRENCY: Philippine peso
(PhP) £1-65.86 PhP
VISAS: No, British passports
holders can stay 60 days
LANGUAGES: Tagalog
Cebuano, English
CLIMATE: Tropical and humid.
Rainfall is highest May–Oct.
Dec–May is peak travel time.
POPULATION: 1.633 million
Davao is the largest city by
area in the Philippines and
the largest on Mindanao
island where it's located.
USEFUL CONTACT: tourism.
davaocity.gov.ph
GETTING THERE: cathaypacific.
com; philippineairlines.com;
etihad.com; qatarairways.
com, all with a stop.
DID YOU KNOW? The current
President of the Philippines,
Rodrigo Duterte, was the
former mayor of Davao City
for two decades and still has
a home there today.
Filipino fun
Eden Nature Park is centred on activities,
such as camping, trekking, horse riding,
fishing and a zip line. Selling itself on its
fresh mountain air, it has a bird walk, deer
park and forest walking trail as well as
Tinubdan, a cultural village.
For more thrilling fun there is the Davao
Wild Water Adventure where tourists can
try river rafting down a 10km stretch of
the mighty Davao River, zip lining with
panoramic city views at Outland Adventure,
or Deca Wakeboard Park.
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