The Negros Oriental tourism exhibit has drawn over 3,000 foreign and local tourists at the recently- concluded 30th Philippine Travel Mart at the SMX Convention Center at the Mall of Asia in Pasay City.
Senior Tourism Operations Officer Myla Mae-Abellana said the PTM has long been the primary venue for promoting tourism destinations, tourism products and services.
Based on official records with the Department of Tourism, Negros Oriental registered 716,395 domestic tourists whose expenditure amounted to P859,974,180.
For the same year, the Province recorded 115,924 foreign tourists whose contribution to the local economy totaled P764,518780, and an additional 386 balikbayans whose infusion to the provincial economic growth amounted to P2,545,670.
Total revenues derived from tourism for Negros Oriental amounted to P1,627,038,630 for 2018.
Negros Oriental ranks as the 13th top destination in the Philippines, and its capital, Dumaguete, has been recognized as the one best places to retire in the world.
The Travel Mart featured colorful exhibits, Sale ng Bayan tour packages, and cultural presentations.
An annual event organized by the Philippine Tour Associations of the Philippines, the Negros Oriental delegation came from the private sector and local government’s tourism offices.
“This is the biggest chance of the local government units and the private tourism-business sector to promote their tourist destinations and services in the national and international market,“ she said.
Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo noted the potential of the tourism industry as providers of livelihood and income opportunities for the people, without forgetting environmental protection.
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