Tourist arrivals up in Catanduanes

NATURE AT ITS BEST In this drone shot taken in March, a group of tourists enjoys the natural wonder of Binurong Point at Barangay Guinsaanan in Baras, Caranduanes. The island province in the Bicol region has been experiencing a spike in local and foreign arrivals, generating a revenue of at least P71 million. —MARK ALVIC ESPLANA

The island province of Catanduanes saw a surge in its foreign and local tourist arrivals during the second quarter of the year, according to a report published by the Catanduanes Tourism Promotions office on Wednesday.

From 358 foreign tourists during the second quarter of last year, the number of tourists for the same period this year reached 3,316, reflecting an 826-percent increase.

The number of domestic arrivals also jumped from 38,081 last year to 43,270 during the same period this year. These numbers do not include the 138,266 “same-day” tourists, or those who do not stay overnight in the province, in the second quarter of this year.

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Tourism arrivals have generated close to P52 million in domestic tourism receipts and over P19 million in foreign gross receipts, according to the tourism office.

“We are continuously maintaining our efforts to bolster our tourism industry as the years go by, and this growth is clearly a manifestation of the hard work and dedication of our tourism communities, private tourism enterprises, municipal governments, the Department of Tourism Bicol and the provincial government,” said Carmel Bonifacio-Garcia, provincial tourism officer.

Despite experiencing almost year-round typhoons, which gave the province its tagline, “The Land of the Howling Winds,” Catanduanes still draws tourists for its beaches, caves, quaint stone chapels, and abaca products. —REY ANTHONY OSTRIA