WITH fewer cases of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) recorded and the easing of travel restrictions, the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental is seeing an in increase of tourist traffic before the year ends.

Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson expressed elation seeing stakeholders in the province's tourism industry showing optimism and holding quarterly meetings to give updates.

At the quarterly meeting of the provincial tourism officers on Thursday, April 7, Lacson noted that the majority of the local and foreign tourists arriving in the province are Bacolod City-bound.

Lacson emphasized the importance of coordination between the City Government of Bacolod and the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental for the betterment of the local tourism industry.

"Tourist arrivals increased last year compared to 2020, so we are expecting better this year," the governor said.

Negros Occidental has already made it easy for travelers to enter the province by lifting the Safe, Swift and Smart (S-Pass) requirement. Instead, travelers will only need to present a Covid-19 vaccination card.