Reviving tourism from the clutches of the COVID-19 pandemic

BEACH AND SURF Locals enjoy a sunny day at Kawhagan sandbar on Siargao Island in Surigao del Norte province as residents start exploring tourist destinations in their backyard after quarantine restrictions are eased. Siargao is a world-class surfing spot that attracts professional and amateur surfers. —ERWIN MASCARIÑAS

Aggressive tests and a sophisticated data analytics system for tracing and isolating carriers of the coronavirus were Baguio City’s priorities even before Luzon was locked down in March.

In September, the local government was confident enough to begin the gradual opening of the city’s borders to tourists from the Ilocos region who passed health screening for the “Ridge and Reef” travel corridor connecting Baguio to the provinces of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Pangasinan and La Union.

To prevent the spread of COVID-19, the city suspended or scrapped high-impact tourism programs like the annual Panagbenga (Baguio Flower Festival) in February and summer activities in March and April, which forced the local tourism industry to absorb P1.6 billion in losses.

Hotels were shut down, tourist-oriented shops like souvenir stores were closed and 4,000 workers were displaced.

The industry’s rehabilitation was mapped out in April, hoping to stimulate tourism as early as possible so businesses could bounce back by December, the start of peak tourist season.

On Oct. 22, Mayor Benjamin Magalong widened the travel bubble to include tourists from Luzon. The city had taken in almost 10,000 leisure and business travelers by Nov. 22, executing Phase 2 of the recovery plan that would open Baguio to the rest of the country, possibly by 2021.

Tourists by then would still be required to register because of the pandemic.

Even back in April, the city tourism office anticipated resistance from residents who feared the spread of the disease. At present, Baguio’s primary concern is assuring the public that its health system and virus surveillance protocols make the city safe.

HEROES’ BIRTHPLACE The Luna museum and shrine honors the most famous sons of Badoc town in Ilocos Norte province, brothers Juan and Antonio Luna. —WILLIE LOMIBAO

Luzon tourism

In Bulacan, at least 300 water parks and resorts were forced to shut down during the community quarantine in the province. The local tourism sector suffered about P2 billion in losses.

But when Bulacan shifted to modified general community quarantine on Oct. 1, Donya Remedios Trinidad town was the first to revive its tourism industry. Its mayor, Marie Flores, began easing restrictions, allowing tourists to visit the town’s resorts.

“Bulacan will revive its tourism industry with small steps,” Gov. Daniel Fernando said, adding that “as we gradually accept tourists, we will ensure that our efforts to curb the COVID-19 transmission will not go to waste.”

Ilocos Norte also opened its doors to tourists from Luzon, but it had to close Laoag City, the capital, on Nov. 27 when coronavirus cases spiked.

Laoag, the province’s political, commercial and industrial center, was again placed under stricter modified enhanced community quarantine on Nov. 27. Other destinations in the province remained open to tourists who would still be subjected to strict health protocols.

In Pangasinan, tourists from the Ilocos region were allowed to visit establishments that were authorized by the Department of Tourism (DOT) to operate.

Ilocos Sur opened its doors to tourists from Luzon on Nov. 15, but it required coordination with DOT-accredited agents and compliance with health protocols.

TOP TOURIST DRAWER Boracay Island’s picturesque beaches and clear waters continue to draw an increasing number of tourists despite the COVID-19 pandemic. —JACK JARILLA

Visayas destinations

Despite the coronavirus threat, three prominent destinations in the Visayas have reopened their doors to tourists in a bid to revive their ailing economy.

Cebu province brought back its tourism activities in August, while Bohol province did it in November to provide jobs for residents whose livelihoods depended on the multibillion-peso industry.

No walk-in guests, however, were allowed in all travel destinations in both Cebu and Bohol to contain the transmission of the virus.

Those who want to visit the tourist destinations in Cebu should register through discover.cebu.gov.ph., an online portal managed by the provincial tourism task force.

Bohol Gov. Arthur Yap reopened the island-province to domestic tourists but limited only to those attending meetings, conferences, exhibitions, weddings and other similar events.

Visitors were required to submit a negative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction test result issued 72 hours or three days before their trips to Bohol.

Boracay Island in Aklan province began accepting tourists from Western Visayas in June and from other areas in October. From Oct. 1 to Oct. 29, tourist arrivals reached 2,337 or a daily average of 80. Sixty-one percent or 1,421 were from Metro Manila.

The number increased to 2,631 from Nov. 1 to Nov. 24 with 1,845 (70 percent) from Metro Manila.

A group of 20 top hotels and resorts under “One Boracay” has pushed the “Boracay Better Than Ever” marketing campaign to encourage more tourists to visit the island.

UNDERSEA BEAUTY Medina town in Misamis Oriental province is a diver’s playground. —PHOTO COURTESY OF DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM REGION 10

Dive sites in Mindanao

The DOT in Northern Mindanao is positioning Misamis Oriental province as among the prime dive sites in the country, given its rich marine ecosystem.

At least eight must-visit sites in the province for divers have been identified: the Japanese Garden and Paradise Aquarium in Medina town, Pontoon Wreck and Sipaka Point in Talisayan town, Mantangale House Reef and Lapinig in Balingoan town, and Gingoog Marine Protected Area and Gingoog port in Gingoog City.

The DOT is generating a dive map for the province which will be promoted alongside dive destinations in the region in related national and international events, such as the Philippine International Dive Expo.

Misamis Oriental is the third province in Northern Mindanao that the DOT hopes to become a major destination for dive tourism. The two others are Camiguin and Misamis Occidental.

In Surigao del Norte province, Siargao Island’s Sayak airport started limited operation last week as the country’s top surfing destination reopened.

Gov. Francisco Matugas cited a single flight a day in December, fewer than the four to five daily flights before the pandemic struck.

In 2019, the island welcomed 200,000 tourists, 60 percent of whom were foreigners.

Josefina Nuñez, Sayak airport manager, assured passengers that health protocols would be strictly observed in the airport as Siargao’s tourism-driven economy prepared to rebound.

—Vincent Cabreza, Carmela Reyes-Estrope, Yolanda Sotelo, Nestor Burgos Jr., Ador Vincent Mayl, Leo Udtohan, Jigger Jerusalem, Erwin Mascariñas and Inquirer Research