Bicol tourism revenue may surpass 2022’s P3B record

Bacacay, ALBAY- The regional director of the Department of Tourism Region 5 or the Bicol Region hopes that they can surpass the tourism receipts they made in 2022.

In an interview, DoT Region 5 director Herbie Aguas stated that there is a delay on the filing of tourism receipts from various municipalities, the reason why their current tourism receipt was only at P1 billion as of August 2023.

"The records from the recent Peñafrancia Festival last September that draw local and international tourists are not yet submitted. We expect another billion on that event. That's why we are asking our tourism regional offices and LGUs to submit their reports to us timely so that we can also provide timely information," Aguas said.

Aside from the Peñafrancia Festival, Aguas said they are also counting on the upcoming Survivor Series, a reality television show of American TV station CBS, in Caramoan, Camarines Sur that will draw more revenues for its duration for eight months, bringing in at least 15,000 foreign participants at the said province for eight months.

"More small entrepreneurs will be helped by this endeavor because as they say, every tourist creates a job. I hope and pray that the P3.6 billion will be hit or even surpassed this year," according to Aguas.

In 2022, Bicol Regions tourism receipts reached P3.6 billion, meaning, the region needs to produce at least P2B to be able to break even in the revenue made last year.

As of August this year, the Province of Albay holds the most number of tourist arrivals, followed by Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur.

In terms of nationality, tourists coming from the United States topped the foreign visitors list, trailed by China and Canada.

To date, Aguas said there are 632 tourism accredit enterprises in the region.

Requesting for more flights

Meanwhile, Aguas also aired request to airline companies to add more flights at the Bicol International Airport in Daraga, Albay.

"I request more flights, to add with our nine flights every day. It was even mentioned by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines that we are ready to receive more flights, because even our international flights are ready," Aguas said.

After 11 years of delay, the Bicol International Airport was inaugurated on October 2021 by then-President Rodrigo Roa Duterte replacing Legazpi Airport.

The airport had its last flight on 7 October 2021, and closed on the same day.

After the closure, the airport site is planned to be converted into a business district.