DAVAO — The Davao City Tourism Operations Office held the second Davao City Tourism Olympics on September 30, 2026, at the SM City Davao Activity Center. Fifteen schools competed in eight events designed to test skills in tourism promotion, development, and operations.
A Grander Stage for Future Professionals
The event expanded significantly from its inaugural run, doubling the number of competitions from four to eight. Organizers rebranded the previous Tourism Skills Olympics to be more inclusive across tourism sectors. The larger venue at SM City Davao accommodated more participants and spectators.
Willenito Tormis Jr., OIC of the CTOO, said the goal is to equip future tourism professionals with best practices and learnings. He emphasized that these students represent the future of the industry. The event serves as a training ground before they enter the real world.
Eight Competitions Test Skills
The eight competitions included Tourism Video Creation, Event Planning Challenge, Digital Tourism Marketing, Tourism Brochure Creation, Travel Photography, Tourism Investment Pitch, Tour Guiding, and Tourism Circuit Development. These categories reflect the diverse demands of the modern travel sector.
Students demonstrated creativity, technical knowledge, and practical expertise. Each challenge required teamwork and strategic thinking. The competitions measured competencies essential for tourism operations and promotion. Judges evaluated performances based on industry standards.
Participating Schools and Venue
Fifteen schools participated in the event. Among them were AMYA Polytechnic College, Brokenshire College, Davao Doctors College, DMMA College, Holy Cross of Davao College, International Management School, JIB College of Business and Tourism, and Jose Maria College.
Other participating schools included Lyceum of the Philippines University, Mapua Malayan Colleges Mindanao, MATS College of Technology, National University, Philippine Women's College, University of Immaculate Conception, and University of Mindanao.
The previous edition was held at Rogen Inn. Moving to SM City Davao provided a bigger stage for the growing event. The mall's activity center buzzed with energy as students showcased their talents.
Building Future Tourism Leaders
City Councilor Myrna Dalordo Ortiz read a message from Mayor Sebastian Z. Duterte. The mayor said it is fitting to recognize young people who are future trailblazers. He noted they bring fresh perspectives, foster innovation, and create meaningful change.
Tormis added that the event aims to give students the best practices and learnings. The competition is deliberately designed to sharpen operational readiness. It prepares students for the evolving demands of the travel sector.
A Celebration of Dabawenyo Warmth
Tormis described the event as capturing the essence of what makes Davao tourism world-class. He spoke of "warmth in motion" as the heartbeat of Filipino hospitality. This authentic care turns every visitor's experience into an unforgettable memory.
The Tourism Olympics is part of the city's Tourism Month celebration. It highlights the importance of youth in sustaining the industry. The event concluded with awards for outstanding performances by the students.
