The southern city of Davao is preparing for the arrival of about 3,000 delegates to the 2006 ASEAN Tourism Forum later this month. The event is slated for Jan. 16–21. Joseph Durano, Philippines tourism secretary, says Davao has the infrastructure and elements needed to support both the conference and tourism. "Now is the time to present Davao to the world," Durano says, "with the ATF serving as its grand entrance." Durano adds that he is targeting international arrivals this year of at least three million tourists, with the ATF forum setting the pace. The country surpassed its target of 2.6 million international arrivals in 2005, building on a record-breaking 2.29 million such arrivals in 2004.
