Baguio City is gearing up to revive its tourism sector by forming “tourism bubble” with the neighboring province of La Union to provide a safe and Covid-19 free travel, and to trigger economic rebound needed for the tourism industries of both cities.
BAGUIO City and San Fernando in La Union on Friday launched a travel bubble between them called the “Summit and Sea” travel corridor.
While the travel bubble has been launched, no date has been set yet as both cities are still harmonizing protocols.
Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong described the strategy to be a version of the prevailing “Ridge to Reef” bubble between Baguio and the neighboring Ilocos region, including La Union.
Magalong said Baguio has received over 40,000 tourist applications since the launch of the Ilocos region bubble. They are expecting an additional 500 domestic tourists daily once the new corridor starts operations.
Baguio tourism supervisor Aloysius Mapalo has already started reaching out to the provincial bus lines to secure government clearances and transport travelers.
The two cities are preparing a registration system which will require travelers to present a negative Covid-19 test result issued within 72 hours prior to entry as opposed to the current requirement of RT-PCR test (La Union) and rapid antigen test (Baguio).
Baguio is under GCQ with 986 active cases while La Union is in MGCQ, the less stringent form of quarantine with only 509 active cases as of Sunday.
Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, who joined the launch virtually, said domestic tourists prefer outdoor travel that allows them to swim in the beaches and bike or hike up mountains.
The WHO have stated that outdoor activities, while maintaining physical distance and wearing masks, is safer than being in enclosed spaces.
While the goal of the travel bubble is to provide a safe and Covid-free travel, it is also seen to trigger economic rebound needed for the tourism industries of both cities.
The Baguio City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) today presented a proposal to rehabilitate Wright Park, one of the summer capital’s iconic historical landmarks.
“Our main parameter for consideration is to bring back Wright Park, one of Baguio’s premier parks, to its original design and intention and modernize some parts that are already distressed,” Tabangin said.
In her proposal the eight-hectare area will have zones for reservation, conservation, and recreation, among others.
As vaccinations nationwide are underway, many are looking forward to visiting these summer destinations once again, even more so now as the country experiences rising temperatures. (HD)
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