BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Department of Tourism reported Sipaway Island in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental as ranked number one in terms of the number of tourist visits in Western Visayas for 2021, despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a briefing during the 3rd Quarter Negros Occidental Tourism Officer’s meeting held on July 18 at the Provincial Capitol Social Hall in Bacolod City, DOT-WV Senior Tourism Operations Officer Tim Ticar said Sipaway Island had 75,685 visitors.
It was followed by the Bantug Lake Ranch Place in Barangay Alangilan, Bacolod City with 55,567 visitors.
Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, who spoke at the meeting, attributed it to the easing of travel restrictions and mass vaccination. At the same time, Lacson said he is hopeful for a more sustained increase and growth in the province’s tourism sector.
“Always remember that our province is among the most gifted in terms of human and natural resources, and with our rich history, culture and cuisine, Negros Occidental carries the most potential for tourism,” he said.
Lacson also assured tourism officers that the provincial government will always support them, and reminded them to continue to persevere to reach the potential of the province and the Negrenses.
Four other tourist destination sites in Negros Occidental that were included in the top 10 list of DOT-WV were The Campuestohan Highland Resort in Talisay City which ranked 4th with 41,362 visitors, followed by the Otirasor Beach Resort in Himamaylan City that ranked 6th with 38,247 visitors; The Ruins in Talisay City ranked 9th with 27,184 visitors; and the Lakawon Island Resort in Cadiz City ranked 10th with 24,947 visitors.*
