ANTIQUE – This province drew more tourists in 2023, according to the Antique Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office (APTCAO).
Antique bounced to 1,306,525 tourist arrivals post-pandemic, said APTCAO head JC Cadiao Perlas.
The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic severely hit the tourism sector of the province, causing the number of tourist arrivals to dip from 1,400,000 in 2019 to 250,000 in 2021.
Perlas said the regrowth of the tourism sector and the influx of visitors are improvements in the province’s economy, as they create jobs and livelihoods for the Antiqueños.
The most foreign nationals who visited Antique last year were South Koreans, followed by Americans, Chinese, Germans, and Australians.
Among the famous tourist destinations and events that attracted both foreign and local tourists were Caluya Island, Malumpati Cold Spring, Mararison Island, the Feast of Saint Blaise, Madja-as Park, Tibiao, Aningalan, the Binirayan Festival, the Statues of the Ten Bornean Datus, Siraan Hot Spring, and Nogas Island.
Of the 18 towns in Antique, its capital, San Jose de Buenavista, records the highest tourist influx, followed by Pandan, Culasi, Sebaste, Sibalom, and Caluya Island.
Meanwhile, the number of accredited tourism establishments in the entire province increased to 146 in 2023, compared to 100 in 2022 and only 86 in 2021.
According to Perlas, APTCAO, under the leadership of Gov. Rhodora Cadiao, aims to boost the tourism sector so that the economy of the province grows further and the lives of the Antiqueños improve. (PIA Antique)/PN
