Baguio City’s potential tourists have reached more than 2,000 since the city allowed the regulated entry of visitors from Region 1, but only four have so far made it to the Summer Capital on various dates.
Based on the log of the City Tourism Office, 19,814 individual account registrations have been created under the city’s Visitor Information and Tourist Assistance (Visita) website as of Oct. 13.
The Baguio Visita portal was created when the Ridge and Reef Tourism Bubble Program was launched by the Department of Tourism with the local government units of Baguio City and Region 1.
Of the 2,050 travel requests, 633 were from Region 1 and 630 from the National Capital Region. The other requests were from region 2, 3, 4-A 5, 7, 12, and from other provinces in the Cordillera. There were also requests from the United States of America.
Tourists from outside Region 1 who requested to visit the city were informed they will be notified when Baguio finally allows travelers from their regions.
The two latest visitors with approved travel request under the Ridge and Reef arrived in Baguio on Oct. 11 and underwent triage and testing at the CAP Convention Center at Camp John Hay, which was recently opened to complement the city government’s triage area at the Baguio Convention Center.
The first two visitors arrived on Oct. 2, a day after the city opened its borders to tourists from Region 1.
All four visitors stayed in DOT-accredited hotels as required under the Ridge and Reef guidelines.
Tourists who intend to travel to Baguio must abide by the guidelines and requirements set under the Ridge and Reef, the details of which are available at the Baguio Visita portal.
Mayor Benjamin Magalong said he is contemplating on easing up the requirements for tourists, following feedback that these are too stringent and prohibitive. – Jane B. Cadalig with reports from PNA
