The city of Baguio opens its doors to all Luzon

MANILA— The city of Baguio is poised to reopen its doors to tourists coming from all over Luzon following previous restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In an announcement posted via social media, the city’s Public Information Office said Baguio’s “Ridge and Reef program” would now be expanded to serve travelers from all over Luzon beginning October 22.

However, only 200 visitors will be allowed per day.

“The expansion of the tourism program coverage was recommended by the Baguio Tourism Council and the Baguio Hotel and Restaurant Association and with the agreement of city health officials subject to observance of health and safety protocols. security against coronavirus disease, “said the Baguio PIO.

The summer capital previously only allowed the entry of tourists from the north.

The Department of Tourism welcomed the decision, citing that the anticipated influx of tourists would spur a faster recovery in the tourism industry.

The new health and safety measures will be finalized together with the Technical Working Group (TWG) of the Interagency Working Group on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID), said Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat.

Documentation requirements will also be relaxed in the Baguio Visitor Information and Travel Assistance or VIS.ITA program, which has received 2,000 registrations and some 200 travel requests since its launch on September 22.

The requirement for visitors to book their itineraries through a DOT-accredited travel agency is now optional, but tourists would still have to book at a DOT-accredited lodging establishment.

“Now that we have a real visitor count, the city has an important benchmark and valuable feedback on how to move forward from this initial opening period,” added Puyat.

The DOT funded the VIS.ITA program for the city of Baguio through the Tourism Promotion Board (TPB) to support the reopening of the city to tourists, beginning with the Ridge and Reef travel corridor within the La provinces. Union, Pangasinan, Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte. .

Puyat added that the expansion of the greenway to include the nearby towns of La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba, Tublay is also being worked with the respective LGUs.