This city welcomed 1.8 million visitors in 2024, completing a steady recovery from pandemic-era lows and setting ambitious targets for the coming year, city officials announced Wednesday.

The City Information Office reported the figure represents a 50-percent increase from 2022’s 850,000 tourists and continues an upward trend that saw 1.2 million arrivals in 2023. Collectively, the three-year period brought 3.7 million visitors to Mindanao’s largest city.

City Tourism Operations Office (CTTO) chief Jennifer Romero attributed the growth to several factors including the successful staging of major festivals like the Kadayawan cultural celebration and Pasko Fiesta holiday events.

CTTO’s strategic focus on business travel through Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) initiatives also contributed significantly, with 23 major conventions held last year, Romero said.

“These numbers confirm our position as Mindanao’s premier destination,” she said. “With improved air connectivity and new attractions coming online, we’re confident in achieving our 2.5 million visitor goal for 2025.”

Romero said the new developments in the scenic Marilog and Paquibato districts have expanded ecotourism options, now accounting for nearly one-fifth of total visits. Three additional nature sites are scheduled to open by September 2025 as part of sustainability efforts.

Regional data from the Department of Tourism showed Davao Region overall attracted 4.1 million visitors in 2024, generating PHP34.7 billion in tourism revenue.

Americans comprised the largest foreign market at 28 percent, followed by Chinese tourists at 19 percent and combined Japanese and Korean visitors at 15 percent. (PNA)