The City of Baguio will be accepting around 200 tourists per day from Luzon, including those from the National Capital Region (NCR), Region 2, and Region 3 starting October 22.
“For 16 days ang nag-apply lang sa siyudad ng Baguio coming from Region 1, around 80 plus lang na mga potential tourists (For 16 days, only around 80 plus potential tourists coming from Region 1 have applied to go to Baguio City),” Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong disclosed.
“So naisip namin na it’s not going to help our economy. The reason why nagbukas nga tayo ng ating turismo ay para tulungang maka-recover tayo, economically, kaya lang hindi nangyayari (We realized it’s not going to help our economy. The reason why we opened tourism is to help us recover economically, but it did not happen),” Magalong added.
The local government is set to amend its guidelines and requirements for tourists to draw more visitors to the country’s summer capital. All documentary requirements are processed through Baguio VISITA online registration while COVID-19 test expenses are handled by tourists.
Hiring of tourist operators is currently optional and tourists may stay in other DOT-accredited accommodation facilities.
“Ang nire-require namin sa kanila, na kapag talagang iikot sila sa Baguio to the different tourist sites, kailangan pa rin ng guide and tour, para nalalaman natin kung saan sila pumupunta (Guide and tour are needed for tourists who want to go to different sites so we can keep track on them),” Magalong explained.
“Pero kung nandito sila sa Baguio and pupunta sila sa market, sa mall, they are going to buy some special items, hindi na kailangan ng guide and tour. Pwede na sila umikot (But while in Baguio and if they will go to the market and mall to buy special items, guide and tour is no longer needed), Magalong added.
The government said around Php 1.6 billion were lost in the revenue of hotels and restaurants in Pine City between April to June due to restrictions. – Report from Rachelle Garcia/PTV Cordillera
