Attendance at the David Fair in Chirqui slumped dramatically this year giving organizers and tourism authorities food for thought as the world still struggles with an enduring recession, and travel declines.

Figures for one of the most popular events in the province dropped to 18,412, from 27,244 last year. Opening day figures were the lowest in four years, down over 25 percent to 9,071 against 12,956 last year.