Increase of tourist arrivals expected in Albay’s Magayon Festival
LEGAZPI
CITY, March 11 (PNA) – Increase of tourist arrivals in Albay province is
expected starting last week of March this year in connection with the
2010 Magayon Festival.
Jose Briones of Albay Tourism Office said the formal opening
of Magayon Festival is on April 5 with Lakas-Kampi-CMD candidate Gibo
Teodoro as guest of honor.
This year’s celebration focuses on patriotism and
nationalism. “The month long festival is full of entertainments to
promote culture, arts, sports and tourist destinations in the province,”
he said.
“Every year we are expecting an influx of local and foreign
tourists,” Briones said.
In 2009 Magayon festival, tourist arrivals posted 35.58
percent increase with an average of tourist expenditures of P2,400 per
day.
Last year, the provincial tourism office recorded a total of
235,000 foreign and local tourist arrivals. “The figure is expected to
rise this year because of the business opportunities in the province,
increase in the number of air flights as well as new air-conditioned
buses from Manila to Legazpi,” Briones added.
“Our tourism stakeholders have already contributed a lot in
terms of development of their facilities and employment,” he said.
Gov. Joey Salceda on the other hand said that Albay is
investing in tourism promotion. “This year, the provincial government
has allocated P12 million for different events and another P3 million
for promotional purposes.”
“Investment is necessary in order to attract tourists which
eventually result to generate employment and income to transport sector
and tourism sector,” Salceda said. (PNA)
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