The Department of Tourism backs Baguio City’s Ridge to Reef Corridor Plan, one of the key strategies being explored to ensure the city's gradual and safe reopening to tourists from nearby provinces within the year.
Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said the plan, which seeks to enable seamless travel for tourism in BLUPISIN or the Baguio City, La Union, Pangasinan, Ilocos Sur, and Ilocos Norte area, is worth emulating in other parts of the country.
"This corridor plan of the BLUPISIN is truly admirable, not only because of the variety of tourism products involved but because of how advanced inter-provincial protocols are in terms of border control, as well as in assuring the health and safety of tourists and communities,” she said.
“It is a clear manifestation of the strong support of the local and provincial leaders to jumpstart tourism, which thousands of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the region rely on. This can serve as a pilot project, and when successful, can be replicated where applicable," the Tourism secretary added.
Puyat witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong and governors from the Ilocos region such as Amado Espino III of Pangasinan, Matthew Manotoc of llocos Norte, and Ryan Singson of Ilocos Sur.
The DoT said a Technical Working Group (TWG) will establish the corridor plan and conduct research and other strategies to facilitate tourism and economic recovery in all the provinces involved.
In support of this convergence and the recovery of Baguio's tourism industry, the Tourism chief also announced that the DoT, through the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), will dedicate funds to support the city's programs, including the Baguio VISITA (Visitor Information and Travel Assistance), a multi-platform digital monitoring application; the set-up of the baguiocreativecity.com website and e-commerce platform; and the revival of the city's weaving and fashion industry.
Puyat, the keynote speaker at the 111th Baguio Day celebration Tuesday, underscored the importance of sustainability of reopening tourism in the City of Pines and other parts of the country.
"With sustainable tourism as our core advocacy, we have and will continue to ensure that policies are in place for the protection of the environment and the local community," she said.
"As Baguio readies to open its doors, we are being given the opportunity now to refocus on sustainable and responsible tourism, taking into account the quality rather than the number of tourists entering this iconic and beloved destination," she added.