Baguio logs 50% drop in tourist arrival

BAGUIO CITY , Philippines —   The number of people visiting Baguio has decreased by 50 percent, which city officials attributed to surging fuel prices.

Mayor Benjamin Magalong yesterday said that higher transport costs have dampened travel demand, particularly from Luzon’s lowland markets, which account for a majority of visitors to the nation’s summer capital.

Industry groups reported a similar drop in bookings.

Andrew Pinero, spokesman for the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Baguio (HRAB), said reservations among member-establishments have decreased by around 30 percent since March, with some operators seeing weaker walk-in traffic.

To attract more travelers, hotels and restaurants have introduced promotions including discounted room rates, bundled accommodation and dining packages, and value-added offers such as free meals and extended stays.

The promotions are intended to sustain occupancy and customer spending.

Pinero said the HRAB expects demand to remain soft if fuel prices stay high.

He said that the ongoing promotions are intended to ease the decline and maintain business activity until travel demand recovers.