The 2024 tourist arrivals in Negros Occidental increased by 31.42 percent for same day visitors and 26.74 percent for overnight arrivals compared to 2023, Provincial Tourism Officer Cheryl Decena reported.
The same day visitors were 3,342,677 and the overnight tourist arrivals were 879, 643, Decena reported at the Tourism Officers’ First Quarter Meeting held at the Negros Residences in Bacolod City Friday morning, March 7.
The province also had 19,332 international tourists from the USA, Switzerland, France, Australia, the Netherlands, Germany, China, Canada, Japan, and Korea in 2024, she said.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson and Decena discussed programs and initiatives focused on further improving tourism management, enhancing the visitor experience, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the province’s tourism industry at the first quarter meeting.
“We have seen significant progress in our tourism activities over the past year, and we look forward to another successful Panaad Festival in a few weeks – a success made possible by your dedicated efforts as representatives of your respective Local Government Units,” Lacson told the tourism officers.
“This first quarter, our joint efforts have yielded positive results. Visitor numbers have increased, and their favorable feedback is truly encouraging,” he said.
He told the tourism officers that responsible tourism must be included at the core of their endeavors.
“We must capitalize on sustainable tourism practices that protect our province’s ecological balance and cultural legacy, in addition to our tourism undertakings already in place,” Lacson said.
He urged the tourism officers to embrace creativity and innovation by leveraging the present digitalization and developing special and distinctive experiences for both local and foreign tourists to set the province apart from other destinations.*