BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – Tourism in Negros Occidental generated over P6 billion last year, according to the Provincial Tourism Office (PTO).
It included all tourism-related activities such as transportation, accommodation, restaurants, and suppliers, saidProvincial Tourism Officer Cheryl Decena.
The province logged 510,022 tourist arrivals — 60 percent higher than the tourist arrivals in 2021.
Among the most visited destinations in Negros Occidental were coastal areas and beach resorts, farmsand cultural heritage sites.
Of the total arrivals, around eight to 10 percent were foreign visitors, with Americans topping the list.
“The challenge now is for 2023 because we cannot go lower than the figures we had in 2022. Our target is not lower than 600,000 overnight tourists,”Decena said.
So far this year, as of May 31, the province recorded 115,248 overnight tourists.
Decena assured Gov. Eugenio Lacson that the information submitted to the PTO is not yet complete. She remains hopeful that this year’s target will be met or exceeded.
“We’re still confident (to reach the target). If we count just the first three months, we’re still on track,” said Decena. (With a report from PNA)/PN
