Negros Occidental recorded a significant surge in tourism, reaching over 2 million arrivals in the first two quarters of 2026 alone — putting the province on pace to surpass its 2025 total of 3 million visitors.
Raymond Alunan, Provincial Tourism Division officer-in-charge, announced the strong growth at the launch of the province’s 26th Tourism Week at the Capitol in Bacolod City on Tuesday, Sept. 8.
Alunan also noted that the mid-year milestone included 436,000 overnight tourists.
Citing the contribution of the tourism officers provincewide to this growth, Alunan urged them to maintain diligent reporting, noting that accurate data is essential for long-term provincial planning.
Alunan also highlighted several key tourism initiatives backed by Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson:
- The Airport Tourism Desk is set for a full renovation to enhance welcoming services for arriving travelers.
- Restoration work is underway on the iconic Lady and the Buffalo statue at the Capitol Lagoon Park in preparation for the centennial celebration of the historic Capitol Building and park.
- The Provincial Tourism Booth at Panaad Park is being redesigned to showcase local heritage, culture, and products.
He also said the provincial tourism office will participate in the 40th Negros Trade Fair in Metro Manila in two weeks and join the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP) convention in Ormoc City, Leyte, this October.
He also cited the governor’s continued support for the Culture Hub Tour, an initiative designed to showcase the tangible and intangible heritage of local government units throughout the province.
Addressing this year’s theme, “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism,” Alunan emphasized both the advantages and pitfalls of emerging technology.
He cautioned against misrepresentation online, citing instances of AI-generated photos on social media that depict destinations that do not exist or look vastly different in reality.
While technology remains a powerful tool to bridge past and present, Alunan emphasized that human knowledge, proper research, and responsible storytelling must remain at the heart of provincial tourism.*
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