BACOLOD City – The province of Negros Occidental is introducing its newest tourism sites, including the soon-to-open Magikland in Silay City – the pioneering outdoor theme park in Visayas, during this year’s Philippine Travel Mart (PTM).
The three-day event, which runs until today at the SMX Convention Center at Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City is themed “Fostering Sustainable and Inclusive Tourism.”
Cristine Mansinares, provincial supervising tourism operations officer, said on Friday Negros Occidental aimed to expand its network by participating in one of the biggest travel expositions in the country.
“We can introduce our new sites, including the Magikland, which is within the tourism enterprise zone,” she added.
The Negros Occidental display, located at L122, is one of the attractions of the Western Visayas booth.
The Negros Occidental Tourism team headed by Mansinares is joined by representatives from Magikland in Silay City and Palmas del Mar Resort in Bacolod City.
The Department of Tourism (DOT)-accredited tour operators from Bacolod also sent their tour packages highlighting the nature-based, cultural, culinary, and leisure and entertainment offerings of the province.
“Our participation in this event will continue to boost Negros Occidental’s position as a destination for tourism and investments,” Mansinares said.
In 2018, tourist arrivals in Negros Occidental, including its capital Bacolod City, hit almost 1.76 million, which was 2 percent higher than the 1.72 million visitors recorded in 2017.
Currently, the province is updating its tourism development plan with the assistance of the DOT-Western Visayas.
The tourism development plan is a pre-requisite in a joint memorandum of the DOT and Department of Public Works and Highways on Tourism Road Infrastructure Project. (With a report from PNA/PN)
