LEGAZPI CITY – The Sorsogon Provincial Tourism, Culture and Arts Office announced a remarkable increase in tourist numbers for 2024, with arrivals soaring to 2.86 million, a 137.91% rise from the previous year’s 1.2 million. Bobby Gigantone, the province’s tourism officer, highlighted that the majority of these visitors, totaling 2.73 million, were domestic, while 135,712 were international tourists.
Gigantone attributed this significant growth to the province’s attractiveness to both local and foreign visitors, underscoring the effectiveness of the province’s investments and efforts in boosting its tourism sector. He praised Governor Edwin Hamor’s administration for its strategic initiatives in promoting and marketing Sorsogon as a tourist destination.
The collaborative efforts of the provincial government, 14 local government units, and one component city have been pivotal in establishing Sorsogon as a leading tourist spot in the Bicol region. The economic impact of this tourism boom is evident, with domestic tourists contributing PHP274 million and foreign visitors adding PHP13.3 million to the local economy. Additionally, the tourism sector has created 465,888 jobs, providing both direct and indirect employment opportunities throughout the province.
Gigantone emphasized that these achievements reflect the collective commitment of the province, local governments, and stakeholders to develop a thriving, inclusive, and sustainable tourism industry. He expressed confidence in Sorsogon’s ongoing efforts to become a premier tourism destination and a model for sustainable tourism development in the Philippines.
Among the attractions drawing tourists to Sorsogon are the whale-shark interactions in Donsol, pristine white beaches, lush mangrove forests, surfing opportunities, soothing hot springs, historic ancestral houses, and the scenic Bulusan Lake.