In Photo: WTE AD Asia Events Group managing director Miles Caballero welcome guests and the media during the press conference held at the Grand Regal Hotel in Davao City (Photo by Mark Cardona)
By Ivy Tejano
DAVAO CITY – Davao tourism stakeholders are now banking on domestic travel, discounted hotel packages, and stronger destination marketing as the World Travel Expo returns to Davao City next month for its fourth run, featuring local exhibitors.
Speaking to Davao media during the launch of the WTE 10 at the Grand Regal Hotel on Thursday afternoon, April 23, WTE AD Asia Events Group managing director Miles Caballero said the fair will be held from May 15 to 17 at Ayala Abreeza Mall.
As part of its 10th-anniversary run, Caballero said around 25 exhibitors from Visayas and Mindanao would showcase their properties and services, including hotels, restaurants, airlines, travel agencies, and tour operators.
The WTE director added that participating hotels, resorts, and travel agencies are offering limited-time promotions to attract more travelers despite the current economic and fuel-related concerns.
Caballero said the expo has continued to expand over the years and is now mounting seven events across the country this year. After its March leg in Metro Manila, the expo will stage events in Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Iloilo, Quezon, and Manila Bay.
“The World Travel Expo is also eyeing an international business-to-business expansion in Bangkok, Thailand, in September 2027, as we aim to expand partnerships and open new opportunities for outbound and inbound travels,” Caballero said.
She said the Davao event next month is part of WTE’s ongoing effort to promote both local and domestic destinations, especially at a time when some travelers are rethinking long-haul air travel due to economic pressures.
Caballero said they believed that the expo remains relevant despite the rise of online booking platforms because many properties reserve their best deals for face-to-face events and limited three-day sale periods.
The WTE emphasized that the three-day event aims to highlight local exhibitors promoting Philippine tourism. She also warned travelers to be cautious of online scams and to check whether the Department of Tourism accredits those agencies.
Among the participating establishments this year are properties from Davao City and Samal Island, including Discovery Samal, Dusit Thani Lubi Plantation, Grand Regal, Camp Holiday Resort, Park Inn by Radisson Davao, Apo View, and Hotel Sogo.
Representatives of participating hotels used the conference to pitch travel offers to Mindanao and Davao-based travelers and visitors from nearby provinces, including Davao del Sur, Davao del Norte, Davao de Oro, and Davao Occidental.
Domini Sebastian Del Rosario of the Grand Regal Hotel underscored the importance of promoting Davao tourism, highlighting the city’s diverse offerings, from its urban scenery to its islands and highland destinations.
According to Davao-based hotel and resort operators, the tourism sector continues to feel the effects of global and regional instability; however, they maintain that business in Davao City remains steady.
Liza Gamo, president of the Davao Hotels and Resorts Sales and Marketing Association, said tourism is often one of the first sectors hit during crises. Still, Davao hotels maintain stable occupancy driven by conventions and business trips.
Gamo noted that while there have been some cancellations, major pre-booked conventions remain on schedule, including large-scale events at SMX Convention, SM Lanang, in Davao City.
She also encouraged fellow hoteliers to diversify their market strategies rather than relying solely on government events, noting that there are still frequent individual travelers and private bookings coming into the city.
Gamo emphasized that Davao’s hotels continue to respond creatively to current challenges by offering competitive packages, flexible deals, and value-added promotions to attract more travelers.
The WTE organizers and hotel representatives also emphasized Davao City’s perceived safety as one of its strongest selling points, particularly for families, business travelers, and first-time visitors.
Caballero said that while some parts of the country are feeling the effects of uncertainty more strongly, Davao City continues to draw visitors because many travelers view it as one of the safest cities in the country.
“This sense of security helps offset the negative impact of broader political and economic concerns on travel demand,” Caballero said, adding that service quality in the tourism industry remains critical.
Hoteliers said DOT accreditation, good customer service, and consistent guest care help ensure visitors leave satisfied and willing to return. They added that hospitality is not just about facilities, but also how guests are welcomed and treated.
Vergilio Casas, general manager of the Hotel Sogo-Davao, which has joined the expo for about a decade, also used the event to reposition its image, saying it now caters not only to couples but also to families through upgraded family rooms and discounts.
Del Rosario said the goal of the Davao leg goes beyond booth sales and sponsorships. He added that WTE aims to help destinations market to consumers and bring together hotels, resorts, travel agencies, and other tourism players in one venue.
WTE organizers and hoteliers said the expo is meant to encourage people to travel while they still can, whether within Davao, across Mindanao, or to other parts of the Philippines, by taking advantage of special deals and travel packages.
The World Travel Expo Davao 2026 will run from May 15 to 17, with organizers expecting the event to generate bookings, strengthen partnerships, and help sustain tourism activity in Davao and neighboring destinations.
