Based on a 2016 Department of Tourism-Region VI (DOT-6) survey of same-day visitors, the majority preferred day trips during their time in the region.
“Increased connectivity provided opportunities for more tourists to visit Western Visayas,” said DOT-6 director, Atty. Helen J. Catalbas. “Iloilo is an international gateway with the presence of Iloilo International Airport; Guimaras is a 15-minute boat ride from Iloilo City; while Negros Occidental is an hour away from Iloilo via ferry, an hour away from Manila, and a 45-minute flight away from Cebu via Bacolod-Silay Airport.”
“We encourage our tourism establishments to upgrade and improve their facilities and services to entice more tourists to stay longer,” she added. “The longer the length of stay of tourists, the more they spend.”
It was recently reported, the DOT-6 director expressed confidence the region would reach its 2017 tourist arrivals goal of 5.5 million after recent data revealed partial tourists arrivals between January and June 2017 in the Western Visayas reached two million./WDJ