Iloilo province’s 2019 tourist arrivals up 11.59%

ILOILO – A total of 387,646 tourists visited this province last year, an 11.59 percent increase from 2018’s 347,375 tourist arrivals.

According to the Provincial Tourism Office (PTO), the province’s 42 towns and component city of Passi attracted 381,610 domestic tourists and 6,036 foreign visitors in 2019.

In 2018, Iloilo had 340,804 domestic visitors and 6,571 foreign tourists.

The province’s tourist receipts or revenues also increased – from P6,330,294,073.20 in 2018 to P7,038,431,544.60 in 2019.

The top three municipalities in tourist arrivals were Carles, Estancia and Leganes.

Carles and Estancia in northern Iloilo boast of white-sand beaches and islands. Leganes, on the other hand, is famous for its miraculous patron saint, San Vicente Ferrer; its parish church is always packed with pilgrims.

According to PTO chief Gilbert Marin, last year’s tourist arrivals exceeded the target of 350,000.

The rise of many resorts was a contributing factor, said Marin. There were 219 documented in 2018; last year there were 234 already.

“Ang northern Iloilo ang may highest tourist arrivals,” said Marin. 

Among its most popular island beaches were Agho Island in Barangay Igbon and Bulubadiangan Iisland in Concepcion; Calabazas Island in Barangay Nasidman, Ajuy; and Tangke in Barangay Gabi, Gigantes Sur, Carles.

For 2020, PTO’s target tourist arrivals is 400,000. Marin is hopeful this would be achieved with the opening of more eco-agricultural destinations in the 3rd and 4th districts./PN