Hotel accommodation has been arranged for delegates of the General Assembly and Symposium at the Grand Regal Hotel, from 29 August to 02 September 2016. Delegates arriving earlier or leaving later than the dates specified will have to bear the extra cost of accommodation, unless there are special arrangements by the Secretariat that relate to flight availability. Extra expenses such as international phone calls, laundry and room service at the hotel will be the responsibility of delegates.

Hotel address:
GRAND REGAL HOTEL
Km. 7, J P Laurel Ave, Lanang,
Davao City, Philippines
Tel: +63 82 235 0888

Grand Regal Hotel Davao will provide a special rate for ISTF2016 participants. Kindly book your rooms through the Secretariat to ensure that you get the discounted rates.

Deluxe rooms: PHP 4,100
Twin rooms: PHP 1,600 per person

Other hotel options:
Big Apple Hotel (~PHP 1,400 per room)
Red Knight Gardens (~PHP 1,500 per room)
Microtel (~PHP 2,300 per room)
Waterfront Insular Hotel (~PHP 3,100 per room)
Park Inn Hotel (~PHP 3,200 per room)

Transportation

The Grand Regal Hotel Davao is 6.4 km away from the Francisco Bangoy International Airport. The Secretariat will be providing transportation service from the airport to the venue. Kindly send your flight information to the Secretariat.

In case you wish to travel on your own, you may get a taxi on the airport. Taxis start their fare at PHP 40.00 and will add PHP 3.50 per few meters. Airport taxi would cost about PHP 200. Davao Taxis issue fare receipts that list the name of the taxi company, the plate number, and the taxi number which could come in handy if one leaves valuable items or documents inside a cab. Just tell your taxi driver if you want to get a receipt.

Nationals from countries listed below who are traveling to the Philippines for business and tourism purposes are allowed to enter the Philippines without visas for a stay not exceeding thirty (30) days, provided they hold valid tickets for their return journey to port of origin or next port of destination and their passports valid for a period of at least six (6) months beyond the contemplated period of stay.

Foreign Exchange

The Philippine Peso (PHP) is the official currency.
USD 1.00 ~ PHP46.60

Notes frequently used are available in PHP 20, PHP 50, PHP 100, PHP 500, PHP 1000 denominations, while coins are issued in PHP 1, PHP 5, PHP 10 denominations. Authorised money changes are available throughout the city and the airport.

Davao City is located in the southern island of Mindanao. The city covers 943 square miles, making it one of the largest cities in the world. It is approximately 587 miles from Manila. Agriculture is the largest industry of the city, including banana, pineapple, mangoes, pomeloes, bananas, coconut products, pineapples, papayas, mangosteens and cacao plantations.

Bearing the nickname as the “Fruit Basket of the Philippines”, Davao City is the perfect venue for the International Symposium on Tropical Fruits: Towards Sustainable Fruit Production and Global Food Security.

Places of Interest

Philippine Eagle Center Malagos, Baguio District, Davao City Simulating a tropical rainforest, the Philippine Eagle Center is home to 36 Philippine Eagles.	Eden Nature Park Matina Town Square, Davao City Eden Nature Park is located 3000 ft above sea level and is home to a vast garden of herbs, vegetablesm, and fruits within acres of lofty pine forest.
T’boli Weaving Center Davao Insular Hotel, Davao City Witness cloth woven in intricate and colorful patterns made from abaca fiber by women of the Bola tribe.	Aldevinco Shopping Center Claro M. Recto Ave., Davao City A tourist favorite, Aldevinco houses a wide collection of fabrics, antiques, and trinkets that represent Davao’s rich heritage.