Mati beaches, other attractions now open
Published Jun 11, 2020 12:00 am
By Ivy Tejano
DAVAO CITY - The City Tourism Office (CTO) announced on Thursday that Dahican Beach and other tourist attractions in Mati, Davao Oriental province are now open.
(Mati City Tourism Office)
The Department of Tourism (DOT), through the CTO, released on Thursday 30 certificates allowing the operation of resorts and hotels within Mati City, tourism officer Dashiel Indelible Jr. said.
Indelible said that the city ushers in the "new normal" pending the lifting of the modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) on June 16, Tuesday.
He clarified that not all the 30 tourist spots will open simultaneously as some establishments still need to comply with the implementation of the health and safety requirements mandated by the tourism office.
Mati City locked down its borders to tourists and visitors for more than two months due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
“ the tourism industry is the most affected sector leading to around P114 million loss for the months of March, April, and May,” Indelible said.
He said the city has an average tourist arrivals of 25,438 per month, with estimated expenditures of P1,500 per tourist/day amounting to P38 million per month before the pandemic.
But due to the lockdown, Indelible said, the local tourism industry lost around P114,471,000 expected income. This excludes the negative effect of the cancellation of the Pujada Bay Festival and Cityhood Day activities this month.
“We are hoping that the local tourism industry will recover from the slump especially now that the most popular attraction of the city, Dahican Beach, is open to the public once again,” he said.
Indelible said Davao Oriental has also opened its borders even on weekends, with the provision of strict health screening and monitoring.
Mati City also expects tourist arrivals following the declaration of Pujada, Mayo, and Balete as the “Most Beautiful Bays in the World (MBBW)” on February 20, 2020, Indelible said.
He advised visitors and travelers who plan to visit the city to expect strict health screening in the provincial and city borders for the safety and security of the community.
(Mati City Tourism Office)
The Department of Tourism (DOT), through the CTO, released on Thursday 30 certificates allowing the operation of resorts and hotels within Mati City, tourism officer Dashiel Indelible Jr. said.
Indelible said that the city ushers in the "new normal" pending the lifting of the modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) on June 16, Tuesday.
He clarified that not all the 30 tourist spots will open simultaneously as some establishments still need to comply with the implementation of the health and safety requirements mandated by the tourism office.
Mati City locked down its borders to tourists and visitors for more than two months due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
“ the tourism industry is the most affected sector leading to around P114 million loss for the months of March, April, and May,” Indelible said.
He said the city has an average tourist arrivals of 25,438 per month, with estimated expenditures of P1,500 per tourist/day amounting to P38 million per month before the pandemic.
But due to the lockdown, Indelible said, the local tourism industry lost around P114,471,000 expected income. This excludes the negative effect of the cancellation of the Pujada Bay Festival and Cityhood Day activities this month.
“We are hoping that the local tourism industry will recover from the slump especially now that the most popular attraction of the city, Dahican Beach, is open to the public once again,” he said.
Indelible said Davao Oriental has also opened its borders even on weekends, with the provision of strict health screening and monitoring.
Mati City also expects tourist arrivals following the declaration of Pujada, Mayo, and Balete as the “Most Beautiful Bays in the World (MBBW)” on February 20, 2020, Indelible said.
He advised visitors and travelers who plan to visit the city to expect strict health screening in the provincial and city borders for the safety and security of the community.