Western Visayas generated P70 billion from its 5.36 million tourist arrivals in 2023, the Department of Tourism (DOT) reported yesterday.
Of the total arrivals, only 550,000 were foreign and overseas visitors, while the rest were domestic travelers who helped keep the industry in the region afloat.
“This is a 22.9 percent increase in the growth of tourist arrivals from that of 2022 with only 4.36 million,” DOT Assistant Regional Director for Western Visayas Phoebe Zelie Areño said during the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas forum yesterday.
She said access to destinations improved for domestic travelers with promotions extended by airline companies and road connectivity.
The province of Aklan, where the world-famous Boracay Island is located, still accounted for the highest arrivals with 2.2 million and over P44.43 billion in terms of receipts, followed by Iloilo City’s 886, 283 arrivals bringing in P8.29 billion in receipts.
Bacolod City recorded 780,916 arrivals, generating P7.1 billion; Negros Occidental has 694,015 arrivals and P6.22 billion receipts; and Iloilo province recorded 318,535 arrivals and P2.269 billion.
Meanwhile, 149,509 tourists visited Antique, generating over P564.89 million; Capiz had 196,844 arrivals, with receipts reaching P689.32; and Guimaras with 133,818 tourists and P427.57 million income.
This year, based on data provided by local government units, DOT is expecting around 5.6 million visitors in Western Visayas, or at least a five-percent increase.
As of July 7, partial records showed over 1.3 million arrivals with more than P23 billion in income.
Areño said they continue to develop destinations and campaign for more arrivals guided by the National Tourism Development Plan for 2023-2028.
“This will serve as a roadmap of tourism, outlining the vision to establish a sustainable, resilient and competitive tourism industry,” she said.
She said the plan includes key policies and initiatives to build infrastructure, foster investments and encourage public and private partnerships. (PNA)