As tourism slowly takes off in the Cordillera, a total of 11 circuit tours were developed by the regional Department of Tourism to help promote the destinations in the region following the prolonged pandemic.
The DOT-CAR has partnered with local and national tour operators to develop the tour circuits, namely green tour, fun farm, mountain cook-outs tour, pilgrimage tour, bike to the Highest Point, tourism moto-caravan and heritage discovery, Mountrail Trail expedition: Off the Beaten Path, rice terraces tour, nature and birdwatching journey, Cordillera World War II historical journey, and the food tourism, chefs’ farm and community immersion.
Tour operators, tour guides, media, local government units through their municipal tourism action officers, and other stakeholders tested the tour circuits throughout the development of the tour circuits to help sell the products to tourists.
DOT-CAR Director Jovy Ganongan said their office has prepared the various circuit tourism destinations that loop between the different provinces and cities of the Cordillera.
Ganongan said they have been developing new products and strengthening old tourism products that anchor on nature, culture, and adventure.
The tourism circuits could still be improved depending on the stakeholders that would offer these tours such as private tourism sites, LGUs, and tour operators.
She said they hope more tour operators will sell the developed products with the participation of stakeholders whom they have met and networked with during their immersion.
Some tour operators were already offering these tour circuit packages to their clients who wanted to experience the highlands in a new way.
Recently, the DOT-CAR assessed its tourism circuit on pilgrimage, wellness, arts, and culture at the Winaca Eco-Cultural Village in Tublay, Benguet and the Clinton Art Museum and gallery in Pugo, La Union.
The agency also engaged with the site owners for them to improve and continue what needs to be done in their respective areas.
The earlier developed farm tourism circuit is divided into two – the “fun farm” tour and the “green tour”.
Another package, the fun farm tour set in La Trinidad and Tublay, was also launched and had been successful.
Ganongan said the itinerary of the tours could still be improved and would also depend on the availability of farm sites and restaurants.
She added they would develop more tour packages featuring the bounty of the Cordillera, in partnership with local tour operators who have the heart and passion to boost tourism in the region. – Ofelia C. Empian
April 30, 2024
