By Azer N. Parrocha
MANILA, Sept. 5 (PNA) — The local government of Soccskargen (Region XII) is confident that the number of tourists visiting the region will reach if not exceed its target of 2.9 million by the end of the year.
Department of Tourism Region XII (DOT-XII) director Nelly Dillera told reporters on Saturday that this was owing to the construction of more roads leading to its key destinations and more tour packages being offered for tourists.
Last year, the region acquired a total of 2.5-million tourists in 2014.
Dillera said that of the 2.5-million tourists, about 1.8-million were daytime visitors, while 700,000 were overnight visitors.
The average length of stay is three days, and two nights.
She also attributed the increase in tourist arrivals to the combined efforts by both the public and private sectors in tourism promotion.
Furthermore, the local government has also adapted the name Sox instead of Soccskargen since it is easier to pronounce and spell.
At present, Dillera said that Sox is working on promoting its flagship tourism destination, Lake Sebu as the “Cradle of Dreams” and home of the country’s longest zipline measuring 2 kilometers.
Lake Sebu, located in South Cotabato and within the Alah Valley region, is one of the many bodies of water supplying irrigation to the provinces of Sultan Kudarat and South Cotabato. (PNA)