(INQUIRER files)
TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines 鈥� At least 1.6 million tourists visited Eastern Visayas last year and its contribution to the economy cannot be underestimated.
These statements came from Karina Rosa Tiopes, regional director of the Department of Tourism in Eastern Visayas (DOT-8).
She also noted that the tourist receipt or the amount spent by every tourist in 2024 amounted to more than P39.3 billion.
This number is 24 percent higher when compared to the P31.5 billion in 2023.
鈥淟ook at the earnings. We can really say that in tourism, there is really money. It can create jobs. It can create livelihood,鈥� she said in a media interview on March 13.
This year, the DOT-8 is targeting 1.8 million tourist arrivals with an estimated tourist receipt of P67 billion.
Tiopes said one of the biggest factors in increasing tourist arrivals is the accessibility of the tourist destinations by air, land and sea.
鈥淚f you are difficult to go to, chances are visitors will not consider visiting your place. So, it is important for us to have connectivity by air, sea and by land,鈥� she emphasized.
Tiopes mentioned that the region has Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport in Tacloban City, Leyte and other airports like the ones in Borongan City in Eastern Samar; Catarman town in Northern Samar; and Calbayog City in Samar.
She said sea connectivity is also improving, particularly in Ormoc City, Leyte.
The city has a daily schedule to Cebu and in Allen town, Northern Samar which serves as the main route in going to Luzon.
Tiopes also reported that their local tourism office, together with the Department of Public Works and Highways, is constructing more 鈥渢ourism roads鈥� or roads leading to popular destinations.
Among the leading visitors in the region are Americans, Chinese, Australians, Japanese and Canadians.
Tiopes said that Indians are the 鈥渘ew market鈥� for traveling in Eastern Visayas.
Usually visited by tourists are Kalanggaman Island in Palompon and Canigao Island in Canigao, both in Leyte; Lintaon Peak鈥檚 16,000 Blossoms in Baybay City, Leyte; Pinusilan Lagoon in Mapanas, Northern Samar; and Tagbak Marine Park in Liloan, Southern Leyte.
Eastern Visayas is composed of Samar, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Biliran, Leyte, and Southern Leyte.