DAVAO CITY, Philippines – The city government ​here hit its two million target in tourist arrivals ​last year.

Based on the Davao City Tourism Operations Office’s record, a total of 2,009,879 tourists arrived in the city from January to December 2017.

Generose Tecson, chief of the Tourism Operations Office, attributed the increase to the “​strong partnership​”​ between the local government and the private and public sectors, ​”​which was clearly seen during the Kadayawan Festival where the biggest increase in tourist arrivals was recorded”​.

In August during the month-long Kadayawan Festival​,​ the city noted a total of 185,660 tourists higher than last year’s 171,851​ of the same month.

The number of foreign tourist arrival also showed an increase with 126,209 compared to 124,283 in 2016. The top 10 2017 foreign markets are USA (​20,779​),​ Japan ​(​12,510​),​ China​ (​9,231​), ​Korea​ (​7,550​), ​Australia​ (​5,929​), ​India ​(4,976​),​ Singapore ​(​4,040​),​ Canada ​(​4,016​),​ UK​ (​3,282​),​ Saudi Arabia ​(​2,371​).​

The number of returning residents or “Balikbayans” also doubled from last year’s 23,256 to 47,872 this year. (davaotoday.com)

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