MassKara Festival 2024 to draw more visitors

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY — MassKara Festival 2024 chairman Jojie Dingcong said they expect an increase in visitors for this year’s festivities.

Dingcong shared this during a meeting on Thursday with more than 100 hospitality stakeholders, the Bacolod Yuhum Foundation (BYF), and officials of the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Negros Occidental (HRANO) to discuss preparations for the upcoming MassKara Festival 2024.

At the conference held at Stonehill Suites, the BYF briefed attendees on the various activities planned for this year’s festival, according to Meneil Lopez, the MassKara Festival 2024 public relations officer.

The foundation also reminded establishments about the importance of excellent service, facility cleanliness, and the hospitality sector’s readiness to accommodate the expected influx of local and foreign visitors in October, Lopez added.

“A lot of players are coming in. We have prepared more events and activities this year, so I expect businesses to step up. Decorate more, invest in your places, and elevate the experience,” Dingcong urged the hospitality sector, encouraging them to make the event something visitors will anticipate again next year.

According to the Department of Tourism (DOT), more than 215,000 guests arrived in Bacolod over three days during last year’s MassKara Festival highlights.

Dingcong reiterated that they anticipate even more visitors this year.

BYF President and Festival Director for Finance, Admin, Concerts, Events, and Fair Katherine Matiling, Secretary and Festival Director for Cultural and Accredited Events Kuster Cadagat, and Treasurer and Festival Director for Good Governance, Finance, Procurement, and Admin Jericho Redil attended the meeting, alongside Bacolod City Tourism Officer Teresa Manalili.