Monday, August 15, 2005
Hotel occupancy up 13.75% as of April
THE Department of Tourism (DOT) 11 has reported an increase of 13.75 percent in hotel occupancy as of April this year, from 55,349 in 2004 to 64,176 in 2005.
Of the 64,176 guests who visited Davao Region in April, 50,489 or around 78 percent stayed in Davao City; 4,308 in Davao del Sur; 3,319 in Island Garden City of Samal (Igacos); 2,300 in Davao del Norte; 2,098 in Davao Oriental; and 1,662 in Compostella Valley province.
Data from DOT 11 also showed that of the 64,176, 58,721 were domestic travelers and only 5,236 were foreigners.
DOT 11 statistician Pacita Gilot said last week the increase could be attributed to the improved peace and order situation in the region, staging of various countryside festivals, implementation of programs that are aimed at encouraging more tourists to visit the region (e.g. Byahe Na privilege card), and holding of
national and international conferences (e.g. Asia-Pacific Marketing Conference).
From January until December, local festivals are being lined up to further entire tourists.
Among these are the Kadayawan sa Dabaw, Anibina Festival in Compostela Valley, Pangapog in Igacos, Journey on Mt. Hamiguitan in Davao Oriental, Kap'yaan in Davao del Sur, and Eco-Tourism Fest in Davao del Norte.
The agency is optimistic it can hit its target of at least 795,770, higher by 15 percent than last year's level of 691,974 especially that more conferences are slated in the region within the year.
"This month din, may Kadayawan tayo. We are expecting thousands and thousands of guests to visit us," she said. (JMM)
For Bisaya stories from Davao. Click here. (August 15, 2005 issue)
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