City Mayor Benjamin Magalong said the volume of tourists in Baguio is almost back to its pre-pandemic level.
In a televised briefing last week, Magalong said the estimate number of visitors is around 80 to 85 percent of the usual number of tourists coming to the city before the Covid-19 pandemic hit in 2020.
August and September, which normally are lean months for tourists in the city because of the rainy season, have also been observed as busy months for tourism in the city this year.
“In the past August and September, mababa because these are lean months because of the wet season, pero surprisingly mataas (this year) ang tourist arrivals,” Magalong said.
As the city welcomed back tourists since Covid-19 cases started its declining trend and due to increased vaccination accomplishment, Magalong reminded visitors to still register at the Baguio Visita online registration platform prior to their travel.
He said unlike in the past where registration was required for every visitor, one time registration for a group is now allowed.
Magalong added the city has also not seen a significant change in the volume of tourists after wearing of face mask in open or low-risk settings has been made optional, but it has been observed more people in the city still prefer using face masks.
“Wala kaming nakitang significant difference kung ikukumpara ang tourism arrival nung mahigpit pa ang pagsusuot ng face mask sa ngayong optional na. But nakakatuwa na dati ang mga tao gung ho sila on not wearing face mask in open areas. Pero ‘nung dineklara na optional na, parang lalo naman silang nag-ingat, siguro dahil nakasanayan na nila na magsuot ng face mask,” the mayor said.
While the impact of the relaxed face mask rule on the number of Covid-19 cases remains to be seen, Magalong said the city government is seeing a decreasing trend in the past month.
“For almost more than 30 days, our cases have been below one percent, but with the latest development in Manila where cases are reportedly increasing, then we are expecting there will be a slight increase in the next two weeks,” he said.
Except for the 12 to 17 year old group, Magalong added the city’s eligible population has high vaccination rate. – Hanna C. Lacsamana
April 23, 2024
