BAGUIO CITY— The City Tourism Office (CTO) reported that, as of October 5, the applications of 52 travelers to this city have been approved.
According to City Tourism Officer Aloysius Mapalo, the approved applications came from the 139 persons, who made travel requests and uploaded their requirements through the Baguio VISITA (Visitors information and Tourist Assistance) online registration portal.
The city opened its doors to visitors from Region 1 on October 1 as part of the “Ridge and Reef” tourism bubble, which also included the provinces of Pangasinan, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and La Union.
However, it seems that the stringent requirements before travelers can gain entry into this city may have contributed to the low turnout.
From the 139 travel requests, 54 were from Region 1, 36 from the National Capital Region, 28 from Region 3,14 from Region 4-A, two from Region 7; four from Cordillera and one from the United States.
“Only requests from Ilocos region are being entertained, while those from other areas are informed that the city is not yet open for other areas in the country, but requests from outside Region 1 were sent notices that they will be notified when travel from their regions can already be allowed in Baguio," Mapalo said.
He also noted that there have, so far, been 1,453 persons who have logged in to Baguio VISITA.
The 52 approved visitors from Region 1 will be visiting this city in the remaining months of this year.
Of this number, 45 are expected this October, five in November, and two in December.
The 52 approved visitors from Region 1 are spread out for this third quarter of the year to enter the country’s Summer Capital.
The statistics of online registrants, as well as those requesting to travel and those approved to travel, change daily depending on the log in, requests and compliance to the requirements prior to issuance of a QR code.
Under the "Ridge and Reef" travel corridor, only tourists from Region 1 will be allowed to visit the city through the guided tour concept under the first phase of the program.
Phase two of the tourism bubble will include Regions 2 and 3, and Phase three, all other regions.
Tourists should have complete documents, including coronavirus disease (COVID-19) test results, to be allowed entry into the city. They will then be issued QR codes which will serve as their passes.
Tourists also have to propose an itinerary subject for the approval of the city government through the CTO.
He said tour packages are being arranged by 15 accredited travel and tour agencies in Baguio City, while there are 82 accommodation establishments that were issued certificate authorizing operation (CAO) from the Department of Tourism-Cordillera.