All systems go for Big Davao Fun Sale

DAVAO CITY March 13- All is ready for the country’s first ever city wide shopping festival aimed at branding Davao City as a shopping destination.

The Big Davao Fun Sale is set to start tomorrow (March 14) and will run until April 16 2014. It brings together seven of the city’s top shopping malls which will offer best-value deals with as much as 80% discount on a wide range of products from local crafts, fashion, home accessories and electronic gadgets.

Eden Larano-David, Chief Tourism Operations Officer of the Department of Tourism Region XI (DOT-XI) says the city is ready for the sale. “We are looking at a festive mood for the festival.” David said.

The DOT-XI is looking at a 15% hike in tourist arrivals with the advent of the event which will also coincide with the 77th Araw ng Dabaw (Foundation Day of the city) this March 16.

David bared that they have been receiving many inquiries about the event. About 90 tour operators are flying in to witness the shopping festival.

“The point is to increase the sales of the malls and to increase economic activity.” David said.

Another goal is to position the Davao brand as a MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions ) destination.

Aside from shopping, restaurants will also play a key role in the Big Davao Fun Sale as it will feature a food festival participated by 100 homegrown restaurants and franchised establishments.

Apart from getting discounts and best deals, shoppers will have the chance to win raffle prizes such as an iPhone 5 units, all expenses paid trip and cash prizes worth P100,000.

The DOT-XI and mall managers of the participating shopping centers are currently engaged in joint promotional efforts. Last Tuesday (March 11) they participated in a press conference at the Davao Business Forum held at DermPath and organized by the SM City Davao and San Miguel Purefoods.

DOT Assistant Secretary Arturo Boncato said that competition among the malls have prompted the major retailers to band together and formally organize the Retail Association of Davao which in partnership with the DOT conceptualized the Big Davao Fun Sale aimed at attracting tourists and shoppers outside of Davao.  (PIA RG ALAMA)