Negros Oriental Aims to Double Tourist Arrivals with Increased Accommodation

DUMAGUETE CITY, NEGROS ORIENTAL – The tourism industry in Negros Oriental, particularly the accommodation sector, pledged on Wednesday to support the provincial government’s goal to double tourist arrivals this year.

According to Philippines news Agency, the executive director of the Provincial Tourism Board and concurrent provincial tourism chair, a forum was held for managers and owners of accommodation facilities to address their concerns and prepare for the anticipated increase in tourists.

Maquiling, who served as a former undersecretary of the Department of Tourism during the Duterte administration, emphasized the importance of expanding accommodation options in response to the growing travel demand. He referenced UNWTO (United Nations World Tourism Organization) projections, suggesting that tourism would return to pre-pandemic levels by 2025 or 2026. Latest data from Negros Oriental indicated a significant rise in tourist arrivals, with a total of 273,157 visitors in 2023, marking a 34 percent increase from the 204,164 recorded in 2022.

Highlighting the need for more rooms to support the tourism industry, Maquiling revealed the province’s ambitious target of attracting 500,000 tourists this year. Dona Maturan, president of the Negros Oriental Tourism Officers’ Association (NOTOA), and Royani Dy, president of the Negros Oriental Hotel, Resorts, and Restaurants Association (NOHRRA), both expressed optimism and readiness to meet the increased demand. Maturan noted their collaboration in crafting the tourism roadmap, while Dy acknowledged the current adequacy of accommodations but anticipated the need for more in the near future.

The forum attracted close to 200 representatives from hotels, resorts, and other accommodation establishments across the province, signaling a strong collective effort to bolster Negros Oriental’s tourism sector and achieve the set target of 500,000 tourist arrivals this year.