Soon, WV to have more tourists than residents – DOT

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BY CAROLYN JANE ABELLO
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ILOILO City – The Department of Tourism Region 6 believes it could reach its 5.5-million tourist arrival target this year.

“We are confident nga ma-reach naton ang aton nga target nga 5.5 million (tourists),” Regional Director Helen Catalbas said.

Currently around 5 million already visited the region, she said.

In 2018, the target will be elevated to 5.7 million and by 2022, it would be 10 million.

By that year, according to Catalbas, Western Visayas would have more tourists than residents.

In 2016 the region took in almost 5.2 million tourists, about one million of whom were foreigners, the Tourism department said.

CALAMITIES

Among the challenges to taking in more tourists are natural and man-made calamities, Catalbas said.

The Tourism department was hoping accommodation establishments would help ensure the safety of guests during these times.

Dapat biskan may gakalatabo nga amo sina, we are making an effort nga ang mga ma-stranded nga mga turista, ginapabalik naton sa ila nga mga resorts kag mga hotels,” Catalbas said, adding that resorts and hotels were asked to “offer discounts or complimentary accommodation.”

Tourists should get the impression that “it’s still more fun to visit Western Visayas” despite calamities, she said.

LOCALS FIRST

The Tourism department was also working to further strengthen domestic tourism to cushion the impact of travel advisories.

But Catalbas noted that domestic tourism was already strong in other destinations in the region “except Boracay.”

“In Boracay, there are more foreign tourists than Filipino tourists,” while other destinations have 75 to 80 percent domestic tourists and 20 to 25 percent foreign tourists, she said.

Travel advisories were almost always warnings about going to a certain country or destination. Most of the time they compel foreign tourists to cancel their trips.

“So ang aton nga dalaganan, ang domestic (tourists),” said Catalbas./PN
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