LEGAZPI CITY, Albay (PIA) — The province of Albay emerged as the top tourist destination in the Bicol region in 2024.
It welcomed a total of 1,391,170 domestic visitors and 16,023 foreign tourists, solidifying its role as a key player in Bicol’s tourism sector.
Herbie Aguas, the regional director of the Department of Tourism (DOT), emphasized the importance of Albay’s achievement, highlighting the province’s diverse offerings.
“Albay is not just about festivals. We have a rich cultural heritage, delicious cuisine, the majestic Mayon Volcano, and thrilling ATV [all-terrain vehicle] adventures,” Aguas said.
This comprehensive tourism experience has attracted many visitors and contributed to Albay’s leadership in the region.
Albay also led the region in overnight stays, recording 1,407,193 guests and day tourists reaching 2,024,683. These figures reflect a growing interest in the province, fueled by a combination of cultural and natural attractions.
In addition to its recent success, Albay is actively working to improve its tourism infrastructure. The construction of a new tourist rest area in Tabaco City has also begun.
According to Aguas, this rest area will provide a much-needed convenient and comfortable stopover for travelers, particularly those passing through the area.
Residents are optimistic about the positive impacts of the tourism boom.
Jerven Antivola, a resident of Bacacay, expressed hope for an inclusive and sustainable approach to tourism growth.
“I’m happy that tourism is booming in Albay. This shows more people are appreciating the beauty and rich culture of our province, but we must ensure that projects also focus on protecting Albayanos alongside the growing tourism,” Antivola said.
For local entrepreneurs, the influx of tourists has helped to increase their sales. Benedict Ogao, a young entrepreneur from Daraga, noted that the rise in tourist arrivals has boosted his business.
“As a seller, the increased tourist arrival also increased our sales and helped our business to grow and promote Albay’s local products including our handmade souvenirs,” Ogao said, stressing the positive impact of tourism on small-scale businesses.
Overall, Bicol saw a total of 4,381,598 domestic tourists and 54,165 international visitors in 2024.
DOT Bicol has set its goal for 2025 to double tourist arrivals to 8.5 million, with 7.96 million domestic visitors and 600,000 international tourists.
Aguas encouraged everyone to explore Bicol’s rich offerings.
“I invite everyone to visit exciting Bicol! We have everything a tourist would want, from nature-based attractions and sports activities to whale shark encounters, local delicacies, and more. Come and enjoy the beauty of Bicol!” (With a report from Raiza Lucido/PIA Albay)
