Eased restrictions draw more tourists to Baguio

BAGUIO CITY , Philippines — More people have signified their intention to visit this city after the city government eased travel restrictions.

City tourism operations officer Aloysius Mapalo said they received 2,558 travel requests through their registration portal visita.baguio.gov.ph as of March 2.

On the same day, Mayor Benjamin Magalong announced that visitors are no longer required to undergo swab tests and quarantine as well as present a travel authority.

Mapalo said 5,140 registrations were posted on Tuesday while 3,000 people are expected to visit the city this weekend.

“While we are receiving more travel requests through Baguio VISITA registrations, the surge is not even half of our previous tourist arrivals. It will take time to pick up, and we may see larger numbers toward the Holy Week... if we continue with the entry guidelines,” he said.

Prior to the pandemic, up to 20,000 people visited the city during normal weekends and 100,000 during peak season.