Bacolod posts 95,000 tourists arrivals
BACOLOD CITY – This city has posted 95,000 tourist arrivals as of January to April 2009, declares Imogene Kanaan, City Tourism officer.
She said these figure came from the 40 establishments like hotels and other tourists inns and pension houses operating in the city.
But the figure of 95,000 only came from the 40 establishments which submitted their reports to the Tourism Office.
There are 13 other establishments which are yet to submit their respective reports, she said.
She also said that Bacolod is getting the prestige and honor as the Convention destination of the Philippines as many organizations held their national conventions here this year.
To name some of the national conventions held here include the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, Coastguard Auxiliary, Medical Technologists, Secondary Schools and many others.
Another national convention which is forthcoming is the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers set June 25-27, 2009, she said.
The educational trips or "Lakbay Aral" by some Local Government units also contributed to the number of tourist arrivals in the city.
There were groups of retirees from Lucena, DILG from Negros Oriental, among others and the Visayas Pinoy Olympics also visited the city in the first quarter of this year.
Last year, the highest tourist arrivals were Koreans, followed by Japanese, Americans, Canadians and Australians.
There were foreign independent travelers and there were also expats who visited their relatives here.
Foreigners who are connected to Call Centers and their clients also came here in the city.
These tourists are composed of adventure tourists, business tourists and domestic tourists.
Kanaan also said that they are expecting an increase in tourist arrivals from May to June this year and also during the MassKara festival in October this year.