DAVAO CITY, Philippines, 27 April 2018: The Philippines will promote Davao as a sports tourism destination after successful hosting the Alveo Ironman 70.3 triathlon last Sunday.
Davao is the hometown of President Rodrigo Duterte and the Department of Tourism chief.
Thousands of people cheered over 2,000 competitors in the different categories of this prestigious international sporting event that featured 21 world champions, including men’s professional winner Mauricio Mendez of Mexico.
Department of Tourism secretary Wanda Tulfo Teo said thousands foreign and domestic visitors descended on Davao City for the spectacle race, rendering hotel resorts in the area fully-booked days before the three-day event began.
“Once more, we have showcased Davao City as an outstanding venue for major international events and as a safe haven for truly great fun experiences,” said Teo, who was a Davao travel entrepreneur and resident before taking over the DOT’s top post.
Both Teo and Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte-Carpio vowed to host other popular sports events this year, including a segment of the World’s Strongest Man competition next month.
The triathlon included a 1.9 km swim, followed by a 90 km bike, and ended with a 21.1 km run.
A record-high 1,800 professional triathletes from 39 countries such as Australia, Japan, Hungary, Mexico, United States, South Africa and the Czech Republic competed the nine-hour event that also featured Filipino celebrities Matteo Guidicelli, Wilfred Uytengsu, Kim Atienza, and Bubbles Paraiso.
The organisers prepared special medals for all finishers, crafted by a prominent Mindanaoan artist, Kublai Millan.
“Tourism not only seeks to promote destinations, but also promotes wellness for local and international visitors, and Mindanao offers a complete package for holistic health and fitness and nature adventure,” said Teo.
Teo added that the event was aligned with the DOT’s “Go South” programme to promote destinations like Siargao, Samal Island, Camiguin, Zamboanga and Tawi-Tawi, and Mindanao’s products, food, culture and tradition.
