The tourism industry in Northern Mindanao soars up high as Camiguin Province “Island Paradise of the Pacific” is still
Tourists arrivals for the 4th quarter of 2014 totalled to 465,646. This is 49 percent higher than the 313,311 arrivals during the same period in 2013. Of the total tourist arrivals for the reference quarter, majority were domestic tourists comprising about 98 percent (454,789), while foreign tourists comprised a meager share of around 2 percent (10,857).
During the year, majority of the foreign tourists were mostly from East Asia, Europe and North America constituting 21, 17, and 16 percent shares of the total foreign tourist arrivals, respective ly. However, compared to last year, East Asia (28 percent) and North America (18 percent) clusters recorded the highest decreases while ASEAN (42 percent) and Middle East (24 percent) clusters posted increases in the total regional arrivals.
On hotel occupancy it was noted that the region’s rate for the entire year of 2014 was 38 percent. The Province of Camiguin as the most favored destination during the year consequently recorded the highest hotel occupancy rate amongst the regional clusters at 71 percent. This is followed by Bukidnon-Malaybalay, Valencia at 38 percent, Misamis Oriental-Cagayan de Oro City, Gingoog City Cluyster at 35 percent and Lanao del Norte-Iligan City cluster at 31 percent. Misamis Occidental-Tangub City, Oroquieta , Ozamis City cluster had the lowest occupancy rate at 14 percent.
For the fourth quarter of 2014, the average hotel occupancy rate of the region was 41 percent with Misamis Oriental-Cagayan de Oro City, Gingoog City cluster posting the highest rate at 88 percent among the clusters.
While the combined total number of conventions and seminars/workshops held in the region during the year reached to 3,217(+20percent year-on-year) with total number of participants of 529,144 (+54 percent year-on-year). About 93 percent of these events were locally-organized activities. Misamis Occidental-Tangub City, Oroquieta, Ozamis City cluster hosted 978 events or 30 percent of the total events for the year. Misamis Oriental-Cagayan de Oro City, Gingoog City cluster trailed closely behind with a total of 864 events or 27 percent of the regional total.
With the able leadership of Tourism Czar for Mindanao-Regional Director Catalino ‘Butch’ E. Chan 111, the booming tourism industry of the Region will catapult Northern Mindanao as one of the country’s top tourist destination.
