DAVAO CITY, Jan. 6 (PNA) — The Davao City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO) reported an increase in the registration of tourism-oriented and tourism-related establishments in the city last year compared to the previous year.
The head of the Davao Tourism Office, Lisette Marquez, said they registered 1,614 establishments in 2014, or 113.34 percent higher than in 2013, with registration fees amounting to PhP2.121 million.
She attributed the increase, among other factors, to higher tourist arrivals in the city in 2014 at 1,429,827, which reflected a 33 percent hike from the previous year.
Another factor, she said, was the random and routine inspections carried by the CTOO Licensing Division.
The development of new commercial areas and annual One- Stop Shop service for business registrants for easy processing of license were also contributory factors to the increase, she said.
Of the 1,614 tourism-related businesses that registered last year, the category under restaurant ranked highest with 653; followed by Cafes and Bars with 293; hotel, 236; travel agency/tour operator, 250; spa and wellness center, 96; resort, 41; tour guide, 31; tourist transport operator, 12; and professional congress organizer, 2.
Marquez also said that the Licensing Division, which records and monitors the number of generated jobs from registered tourism establishments, recorded 17,385 tourism- related jobs from January to October 2014. (PNA)