LARENA, Siquijor, Philippines - Siquijor province posted the highest increase in tourist arrivals by more than 15 percent during the first semester of 2010, as compared to the other three provinces in Central Visayas. The National Economic Development Authority (NEDA)-7, in its Central Visayas Economic Situationer reports that the tourism industry in Region 7 started to recover from the global financial crisis in 2009. The report said tourist arrivals in the entire Central Visayas increased by nearly 5 percent during the first six months of the year.
Second to Siquijor province, Cebu and Bohol tourist arrivals posted at 5.13 percent and 3.53 percent respectively while Negros Oriental's arrivals posted in the negative. The provincial tourism unit of Negros Oriental said it is taking local initiatives to aggressively promote the province through video and brochure materials as well as coming up with an ecotourism master plan. NEDA further reports that the increase in tourists' arrivals in Central Visayas is attributed to the improvement of cash positions of business travelers. After implementing cost reduction measures during the height of the 2008 and 2009 economic crises, companies are now in a better position to spend for business trips. Tourism industry players also undertook more promotional efforts. For instance, airlines have come up with affordable and promotional airfares that have enticed local tourists to travel within Central Visayas and around the country. (Mars W. Mosqueda, Jr.)
