Embark into an immersive and flavorful journey of Davao region’s rich coffee and cacao agricultural heritage.

This is the invitation of Department of Tourism Davao regional Director Tanya Rabat, as DOT and local tour operators, and coffee and cacao industry players launched the Davao Coffee and Cacao tours.

“This is an experiential tour beyond the cup of coffee and chocolate you drink. We want you to meet the famers who grow them, immerse in the local culture and community,” said Rabat during the recent edition of PEP Talks in SM Lanang.

A Taste of Davao’s Roots

Davao is no stranger to accolades in the coffee and cacao world. Recognized as the Chocolate Capital of the Philippines, it produces 80% of the country’s cacao, while its coffee—especially Arabica from Davao del Sur—has earned international recognition.

The new tours allow tourists to enjoy two iconic crops into a unified experience that honors the farmers, the local community, and entrepreneurs behind every cup.

What’s Brewing in the Crawl

Two local tour operators have stepped up to the challenge as they piece together indigenous communities, local farmers and shops to enjoy “bean-to-bar” and the “seed-to-sip” experience.

Cybercrib Trips and Tours will bring their guests to a farm managed by the Bagobo-Tagabawa tribe in Upper Catigan in Toril Davao City where they get to see coffee nursery, experience coffee planting and taste the local dishes of Bagobo tribe. Then, the group heads farther south to Coffee for Peace farm in Bansalan, Davao del Sur; visit the Regional Coffee Innovation Center Museum in Digos City before heading back to Davao City at Frag Kaffe Arena that features modern roasting and cupping activities.

Meanwhile, CES Travel and Tours will feature Mers Native Delicacies in Digos City, Davao del Sur for a sumptuous local breakfast. Then heads on to Bansalan to see how the Tibolo Integrated Farm Workers Association do their own processing techniques and farming practices; enjoy the Bagobo Tagabawa Cultural village, meet the Balutakay Coffee farmers community; and enjoy recreational activities and sight-seeing in Montefrio Highland Resort.

It’s an entire village

To ensure the lasting impact of this tourism and cultural experience, major stakeholders take important roles in this endeavor. Present during the launch were Department of Trade and Industry XI Regional Director Romeo Castanaga , Department of Agriculture XI Regional Technical Director for Operations Marie Ann Magno Constantino, Davao Region Cacao Industry Council president Dante Toto Muyco Jr, and Davao Regional Coffee Council’s Gerome Sumagaysay.

Also present during the press conference were Davao Tourism Association president Nicole Hao Bian Ledesma, Cybercrib Trips and Tours Travel Services‘ Jen Ramirez , Ces Travel & Tours‘ Floreces Logronio Tadla, E-Travel Host and Tours’ Tom Claudio, and Davao City Tourism Operations Office‘s Gracie Plata.

(by Sherwin Manual/Davao Bulletin)