As tourism is beginning to perk as the year enters its final month, bookings in the visitor registration portal of Baguio have shown an increasing number of people interested to visit the city.
In his social media post, Supervising Tourism Operations Officer Aloysius Mapalo said from the previous 2,000 tourists per day limit, the city has decided to increase the limit to 3,000 per day, excluding tourists booked in three hotels that have their own triage.
The partial registration posted by Mapalo showed that on weekend of November, an average of 4,000 tourists per day have approved registration with the visitor registration portal of Baguio.
Mapalo said shortly after announcing last Nov. 25 that Baguio is accepting more tourists, tourist registration for Nov. 26 to 30 and Dec. 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, and 24 have already been filled.
Registered tourists for Nov. 26 was 3,064 plus 835 issued with blue QTP or those booked in hotels that have a triage area; 3,056 plus 1,179 with blue QTP for Nov. 27, and 3,099 plus 477 for today, Nov. 28.
Albeit more tourists are being allowed, Mapalo said Baguio will continue to restrict the number of people until it is safe enough for more people to be allowed in the city.
He said those who attempt to enter Baguio without registering will be sent back to their point of origin.
“We can still be responsible tourists just by following the process and requirements,” Mapalo posted.
Baguio is among the destinations in the country that allow the entry of fully vaccinated tourists except those coming from areas under enhanced community quarantine, modified enhanced community quarantine, and alert levels 4 and 5.
To be issued a QR code travel pass, a tourist should register with the Visita registration portal at least a day before the trip.
Adults who are fully vaccinated are required to upload in the Visita portal their vaccination certificate or vaccination card and bring the vaccination card or certificate for verification at the checkpoint.
Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated adults are not allowed.
Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated minors aged 12 to 17 years old must present negative antigen or RT-PCR test conducted within 72 hours prior to arrival or during screening at the central triage area.
Minors 11 years old or below shall be tested at the option of their adult guardian.
After inspection at the checkpoint, tourists must proceed to the central triage for screening and verification of QTP and other documents.
Symptomatic visitors, regardless of vaccination status or test result, will be immediately tested and isolated and referred to health officials for further action. – Rimaliza A. Opiña
