BACOLOD CITY, Philippines—The tourism industry in Western Visayas suffered a tremendous blow in 2008 but the rapid development in information technology has greatly benefited the region, Antique Governor Sally Perez said Tuesday in her state of the region report.

Perez, who delivered her report as chairperson of the Regional Development Council in its meeting at L’ Fisher Hotel here, reported that tourism arrivals dropped by 14.8 percent in 2008 compared to 2007 due to the financial crunch worldwide.

While the number of foreign tourists increased by 3.5 percent, the number of domestic tourists sharply fell by 26.4 percent, Perez said.

Boracay Island remained the top tourist destination in the region posting, a 6.3-percent growth in local and foreign tourist arrivals, she added.

Aside from Boracay, the region continued to promote its tourist attractions in Sipalay City, San Carlos City and Mambukal, among others, in Negros Occidental, and in other provinces of Western Visayas, Perez said.

On the other hand, she noted that the rapid development in business process outsourcing greatly benefited the region in 2008.

Iloilo City now has nine call centers with a total investment of P164 million and employing 3,120 employees, while Bacolod City has seven call centers with investments of P730 million and employing 4,935 employees, Perez said.

There are also medical transcription service companies in both cities, she said.