Tourism activities in Bicol back in full swing

MAYON WELCOME Bicol is ready for the resumption of tourism activities and events amid the improving public health situation in the region and other parts of the country. The national regatta championships, held against the backdrop of Mayon Volcano in Legazpi City on Feb. 27, is among the first crowd-drawing events staged in the region. —MARK ALVIC ESPLANA

LIGAO CITY, Albay, Philippines — With the continuous decline in the number of COVID-19 cases around the country, the Department of Tourism (DOT) is now allowing tourism activities to resume fully in destinations around the Bicol Region.

“This is a very exciting restart for everyone, particularly for the tourism sector, wherein all workers are back to work and eventually would lead to a good economy,” said Herbie Aguas, DOT regional director.

He said the Bicol tourism promotions board had prepared and readied domestic tour packages designed to showcase the best products and services in every town and province. This tourism circuit packages at least three primary destinations featuring local attractions, facilities and amenities, and products of different towns.

Under this tourism circuit, the provinces of Albay, Camarines Sur and Sorsogon are categorized as centers of “farming, faith and food” while Masbate province is considered the place to visit for “drive and dive.” Albay, Masbate and Sorsogon are also under the “eco adventure” package.

“Bicol is now 100-percent open to tourists around the globe, provided they are [fully vaccinated], and for the unvaccinated, a negative RT-PCR (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) result is a valid pass,” Aguas said.

Flights, hotels

All hotels, he said, are fully operational for the possible influx of tourists, particularly now with the operation of international flights at Bicol International Airport in Daraga, Albay.

“Tourism activities are all set from gastronomy, histocultural up to nature exploration (ATV or all-terrain vehicle rides, island-hopping, firefly watching, and butanding or whale shark interaction) but health standards must be observed and practiced at all times,” Aguas said.

As of March 20, Bicol recorded a total of 1,919 active COVID-19 cases with only one new infection added to its tally.

The region recorded a total of 59,010 cases since the pandemic was declared in March 2020, with 54,817 recoveries and 2,274 deaths.

The island province of Catanduanes and Naga City in Camarines Sur are under the least restrictive alert level 1 until March 31, while the rest of the region is under alert level 2.