A growth rate of 69.9 percent in the tourism industry has allowed employment opportunities to open in the Davao Region, officials said Wednesday.

In a press briefing, Department of Tourism in Davao Region (DOT-11) chief Tanya Rabat-Tan said collective tourism arrival in the region accumulated only 354,518 foot traffic in 2021.

However, as of August this year, the agency has recorded 602,483 arrivals, showing an almost 70 percent growth rate.

“With our efforts to promote the various tourism destinations in Davao Region coupled with the easing of restrictions, our visitors have increased significantly. This positive economic movement paved the way for the hospitality sector to open employment,” Rabat-Tan said.

Of the component city and provinces of the region, Davao City generated most tourist arrivals with 200,800; followed by Davao del Norte with 166,853; Davao de Oro (115,354); Davao Oriental (106,143); and Davao del Sur (13,333).

Davao Occidental, on the other hand, has had no submissions on tourist arrivals since January this year.

Meanwhile, Department of Labor and Employment in Davao Region (DOLE-11) chief Randolf Pensoy announced that there will be 2,510 opportunities for jobseekers during the DOT-DOLE Trabaho, Turismo, Asenso Job Fair on Sept. 22-23 at Abreeza Mall in the city.

“This is open to everyone who is looking for greener pastures as we also have employers from overseas,” Pensoy said.

Pensoy said the job fair will have an online pre-registration procedure to determine the best match for the jobseekers.

He said the agency aims to hire at least 1,000 applicants during the event. (PNA)