Bacolod City – Tourist arrivals in Negros Occidental increased by 60 percent last year, generating almost P6 billion in income for the province, disclosed Provincial Tourism Officer Cheryl Decena.
Decena, who recently presided over the 2nd Quarter Tourism Officers’ meeting 2023 at the Provincial Capitol Social Hall, revealed that they exceeded target of 350,000 tourist arrivals set by the Department of Tourism for 2022.
Records of the Provincial Tourism Office (PTO) showed that overnight tourist arrivals in Negros Occidental rose from 311,577 in 2021 to 510,022 last year, and day visitors increased from 915,415 to 1,717,327 in the same period.
Most visited places in Negros Occidental are the coastal areas, especially during the summer season, cultural sites in cities of Talisay, Silay and Bago, and the Campuestuhan Highland Resort in Talisay City for day tours.
With the full operations of Mambucal Mountain Resort in Murcia, Decena reported that bookings come mostly from government inter-agencies, aside from the provincial government.
According to Decena, the challenge now is for them to meet the target of 600,000 overnight tourists for 2023.
As of May 31, the PTO has logged 115,248 overnight tourists, but they have yet to receive reports from other local government units.
Decena said they are optimistic of exceeding the 600,000 target set by DOT for the year, in response to the question raised by Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson on whether they can continue the trend.
She explained that they are giving weight to overnight tourists, as they spend on accommodation, among others, which will support local business enterprises and small communities.
Decena also stressed that the P6 billion generated income last year from tourist arrivals was based on tourist receipts and the formula prescribed by DOT. (Gilbert Bayoran via The Visayan Daily Star (TVDS), photo courtesy of TVDS)