Tourist arrival receipts of the province increased by 25.8 percent to P1.569 billion in 2005 compared to only 1.164 billion last year, statistics of the Negros Occidental Tourism Center show.

The increase was noted despite a drop in total tourist arrivals due to the decrease in the number of excursionists who visited the province last year.

The total income was based on receipts representing the average daily expenses of tourists at P2,918 per person and of excursionists, at P500 per person.

Receipts of tourists reached P1.428 billion while of excursionists, P140.977 million.

Excursionists are visitors who come for only a day or those who don't stay overnight in the province. Only 255,590 visited Negros Occidental last year compared to 452,978 in 2004. However, tourist arrivals, comprising foreign, domestic and overseas Filipino workers, increased by 34.6 percent - from 321,583 in 2004 to 492,091 visitors in 2005.

Last year, tourist arrivals including excursionists totaled 514,986 or a decrease of 33 percent from the 774,561 tourists in 2004. Figures on excursionists were included starting 2003 only.

Statistics of the Negros Occidental Tourism Center further show that tourist arrivals in the province have been increasing every year since 2000.

In 2000, total arrivals excluding excursionists, reached 151,704; 2001, 150,589; 2002, 183,088; 2003, 285,481; 2004, 321,583; 2005, 492,091.*NLG

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