Davao City welcomed 1,045,854 tourist arrivals from January to June 2026, an 11.7% increase from the same period last year, keeping the city on track for another strong tourism year.
The figure covers check-ins recorded by accommodation establishments and does not include all passengers passing through airports and terminals or necessarily reflect the number of unique visitors. Domestic tourists made up the bulk of the arrivals at 989,241, followed by 44,424 foreign visitors and 12,189 overseas Filipinos.
March recorded the highest monthly arrivals at 186,131, followed by June with 184,069 and February with 173,344. Growth was strongest during the first quarter but remained higher than 2025 figures throughout the first half.
Davao City Tourism Operations Office Officer-in-Charge Willenito Tormis said the rise was driven in part by meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions, as well as festivals and other major events.
The city is likewise broadening its tourism offerings with new circuits, tours and products designed to encourage visitors to discover more destinations while supporting local businesses. Among these efforts is the Digital Davao Tourist Passport, launched in August 2026 with support from Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism through the Smart JAMP program.
The digital passport provides access to participating tourism establishments, destination details, special promotions and trip-planning tools. Tourism officials said increased visitor activity can also generate business for restaurants, tour operators, transport providers, retailers and other local enterprises.
Major festivals remain key tourism drivers. The Kadayawan Festival drew 206,506 visitors in 2025, while Pasko Fiesta attracted 192,969.
The latest figures follow Davao City’s strong 2025 tourism performance, when the city logged more than two million arrivals. With more than one million arrivals already recorded in the first half of 2026, the city aims to maintain the momentum through major events, expanded tourism offerings and greater involvement from local businesses.
