MINDANAO has to build more seaports and enhance customer experience in airports to boost tourism arrivals, according to a Leechiu Property consultant.
Adam Dominic Domingo, Leechiu Property Consultants’ hotels, tourism, and leisure senior manager, said the country has to work on infrastructure to enhance connectivity and improve the overall experience for visitors and even investors.
During his presentation in the BIMP-EAGA Investment Conference (BIMP ICON) on Nov. 13, Domingo revealed the Philippines has the fewest visitors from the member countries.
“For Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei, you can see that they’re adjacent to each other. So, you can see that everyone is more or less part of the top 10 source market of the others, but for the Philippines, it’s only Malaysia, which is part of our top 10 source market,” Domingo said.
Domingo added that Malaysia only has three direct routes to the Philippines: two in Manila, which are Kuala Lumpur-Manila and Kota Kinabalu-Manila; and the other one is Cebu-Kuala Lumpur.
“Mindanao is underserved, so that’s an opportunity that maybe the stakeholders can work on, meaning, of course, there’s a government, there’s private rate, in terms of infrastructure, (and) connectivity,” he said.
He also pointed out that the infrastructure must not be limited to airports, but should also enhance the overall experience of foreign tourists. It has to be noted that there are no direct flights coming to these countries from Davao International Airport.
In December 2017, AirAsia initiated the Davao-Kuala Lumpur direct service, but it was stopped in 2018 due to commercial reasons.
“Of course, you would understand that these airlines are a business there, right? You need to have a critical mass,” he added.
He noted that airlines and hospitality investors have to work hand in hand to boost tourism in the area
“For the airlines, why would I introduce it if there are no passengers. For hospitality investors, why would I put that if I’m not connected?” he stressed.
In terms of tourism, Zamboanga is touted to be easily marketed to BIMP-EAGA by opening up the seas through sea ports, considering how close Mindanao is to Malaysia compared to Manila.
Domingo noted that the one who is operating the passport is also a factor, as, unlike government-operated airports, the privately operated ones are more profit-oriented, which incentivizes them to look for more routes.
