The City Tourism Development Office here has set up more than 30 tourism information desks (TIDs) in key areas across the city to ensure a seamless and enjoyable experience for visitors of the 46th MassKara Festival, especially during the highlights on Oct. 17 to 19.

The TIDs are located in 25 hotels, four shopping malls, Bredco port at the Reclamation Area and Bacolod-Silay Airport.

In a statement on Wednesday, Ma. Teresa Manalili, chief tourism operations officer, said the information desks assist tourists in having easy access to reliable details about the MassKara Festival and the various attractions in the city.

“It’s our way of bringing assistance closer to where the people are,” she added.

Both foreign and domestic tourists can ask assistance from the help desks, manned by tourism personnel and trained student-volunteers, for event schedules, venue directions, tourism brochures and travel information.

At the seaport and airport, VIPs and other arriving guests are welcomed with leis, “symbolizing the city’s warm and festive spirit of greeting visitors with smiles and local charm.”

The TIDs will serve visitors until the last day of the festival on Oct. 19.

The 19-day festival culminates this coming weekend as the Lacson Tourism Strip features the festival’s biggest street party for three days on Oct. 17, 18 and 19.

Festivalgoers will be treated to five stages along Lacson Street, offering live performances and DJ sets as well as interactive installations and cultural showcases.

On the evening of Oct. 17, various barangays will showcase lighted floats in the Electric MassKara competition.

For the arena and street dance competitions, seven elementary schools will perform on Oct. 18, while 10 barangays will face off on Oct. 19, from the Paglaum Sports Complex to the Bacolod Public Plaza. (PNA)