By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

A recently released 2016 survey on domestic tourists revealed Negros Occidental was the second most visited destination in the country.
Based on the survey conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority and the Department of Tourism, the National Capital Region (NCR) topped the list.
Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr. said the province lacks the accommodations needed to meet the growing number of visitors.
He also suggested developing more destinations outside of Bacolod City, citing Lakawon Island in Cadiz City and the ongoing construction of the Magic Island amusement complex in Silay City.
The survey is conducted every two years and looks at a sample of around 18,000 households.
The findings also revealed 69 percent of travelers were day visitors./WDJ

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Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr. (right) discusses 2016 Philippine Statistics Authority and Department of Tourism data showing Negros Affairs Service-Region 18 at the Governor’s Office, yesterday. (Richard Mahilan photo)Occidental as the second most visited destination among domestic travelers with (from left) Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) head, Atty. Japhet Masculino, and Police Senior Superintendent Abdulkadil Guialani of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Internal