Guilty. I may have gone to places across the globe but I yet have to discover the wonders of my neighborhood, areas that don’t even need airplanes to reach. Today, exploring the best tourist attractions in the island is made more convenient as the regional tourism offices in partnership with the private sectors are paving the way for hassle-free trips to the best Mindanao destinations.
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Lake Sebu Zipline at Seven Falls |
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Lake Sebu |
“This is the great first move to reveal our best kept secrets to local and domestic markets.” Said Director of Tourism (DOT-XI) Regional Director Arturo Boncato on the launching of Destination Mindanaw. The pioneering program will feature key tourism areas of Davao Region, Socksargen, CARAGA, and Northern Mindanao to include sites like Lake Sebu in South Cotabato; Tinuy-an Falls and Enchanted River in Surigao del Sur; Dahican Beach in Mati, Davao Oriental; and tourist site in the island-province of Camiguin. More destinations will be added to the roster in the coming days.
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Mati's Sleeping Dinosaur |
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The Waniban Island in Mati |
“We are initially devoting four of out shuttle coasters as vehicles for the identified routes,” shared Alma Uy, owner of Davao Metro Shuttle, and Asianet Travel ad Tours.
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The Uy's of Tagum, Davao del Norte, owners of Davao Metro Shuttle |
Each tour has been packaged for two days only making it a perfect get-away for the weekend. Priced affordably, the cost covers transportation, meals, room accommodations and touring the featured spots of the destination with a tour guide sharing historic & cultural potpourri of the area.
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The Gensan Fishport in the Sarangani Province |
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A must-see in Sarangani Province, the Gumasa Beach |
Now, all I have to do is book and on the bus to take me to the places that has long been on my bucket list. This way, I am spared from forming a group and planning the trip with a risk of not pushing through.
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One of the many picturesque shorelines in Surigao. |
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The Enchanted River of Surigao |
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Refreshing sight. The Tinuy-an Falls in Surigao |
Traveling alone? No worries. Chances are there will be others who wish to see the beauty of Mindanao and you’ll get the chance to meet them as you board the bus. But in any case you find yourself the lone passenger, worry not for the trip will push through especially for you. Call it your very own chartered tour.
Make you next destination Mindanao. It will be mine.
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Mindanao Tourism bigwigs with Asec. Arturo Boncato |
For more lifestyle & travel stories, visit http://apples-and-lemons.blogspot.com/ and http://jeepneyjinggoy.blogspot.com/Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on November 24, 2013.