Festivity income opportunity for micro entrepreneurs, too

THE Masskara Festival in Bacolod City, expected to draw at least three million “warm bodies” especially during the highlights, is also seen as an opportunity for micro entrepreneurs to earn.

Themed “Happy Birthday Bacolod,” the 21-day celebration will kick off today.

Ma. Elma Gerasmo, city tourism officer, yesterday said the influx of domestic and foreign tourists are expected in three festival sites including the public plaza, Lacson tourism strip, and the Government Center.

Gerasmo said the three million revelers during the festival highlights from October 26 to 28 are on top of hundreds of “warm bodies” during other daily activities.

“Aside from hotels and restaurants, the festivity will also have its domino effects down to the micro enterprise level,” she added.

These enterprises include small vendors among festival sites even those selling peanuts, “balut” and other products, from food to souvenir items, among others.

Gerasmo said even those in the transport sector, particularly pedicab and tricycle drivers, have also been benefiting from the annual celebration.

“This is an opportune time for our local entrepreneurs to earn more,” she said, adding that “the city continues to work on improving the festival every year to attract more tourists resulting also to livelihood and income opportunities for micro enterprises.”

In terms of tourism receipts, or the amount spent by tourists during their stay in the city within the festival period, the City Tourism Office has yet to gather data from accommodation facilities especially hotels.

Meanwhile, Gerasmo attributed the recognition given to Bacolod as one of the cities in the country with the best tourism practices to its efforts on involving tourism stakeholders in its programs like the Tourism Week celebration.

On Friday, the Department of Tourism and Association of Tourism Officers in the Philippines (DOT-ATOP) awarded third place in Best Tourism Week/month Celebration city category for this year’s Pearl Awards.

“The city remains committed to sustainable tourism, which is vital in economic growth,” she added./epn

MERLINDA PEDROSA MASSKARA TEAM. (From left) Special events manager Jesryl Bangcaya, streetdance coordinator Rudy Reveche, Councilor Cindy Rojas, Masskara Festival action officer Councilor Em Ang, festival director Eli Francis Tajanlangit, Masskara Festival Queen organizers Rene Jun Ogapong and Danjan Plazo, graphic artist and logo maker Mark Lester Jarmin in a press conference Saturday.