World VIPs for Mindanao peace, tourism forum eyed

The organizers of an international forum on Mindanao’s peace and tourism business are eyeing the participation of foreign luminaries to boost economic activity in the region.

Invited to the forum are members of the diplomatic corps, foreign business councils and service corps, official development agencies, and Manila-based business groups.

The forum, dubbed "Peace and Multiculturalism," will be held on Oct. 29 at a special Peace Pavilion during the Wow Mindanao Exposition 2004 in SM City Davao.

The three-day forum aim to promote Mindanao as a business and tourism destination, generate international business interest in the region through its new products and services, and strengthen linkages between tourism groups and all other industry associations.

This was announced by business leader Joji Ilagan-Bian, president and chief executive officer of Mindanaworld Foundation, a non-government organization committed to the pursuit of peace and development in Mindanao.

The event is co-organized by the Davao Tourism Association (DATA) and supported by Marco Polo Davao and other DATA members from various tourism sectors.

"Designed to widely open the doors of Mindanao to the world, the forum includes presentations on peace and multiculturalism, and sustainable investments in the region, among others," Bian explained.

He said that highlights of the forum which are cultural presentations, ecological and recreational tours, will give the participants a very favorable perception of Davao City and the rest of Mindanao.

Other details on the event can be obtained from Mindanaworld project manager Marissa Diploma (tel. 082-2263783, or e-mail msd.dvo@lycos.com).

The event will come on the heels of Mindanao’s positive developments that include the operationalization of the Davao International Airport’s new and state-of-the-art terminal, increased tourist traffic, vast improvements in tourism facilities, and the opening of major commercial establishments, which include the SM City and the NCCC malls.

"The fruits of these developments are reflected in the increase in hotel bookings and in the number of national and international meetings and conferences that have been scheduled for this year and the following years," Bian pointed out.