DOT starts building first Tourist Rest Area in Luzon
The Department of Tourism (DOT) has started to roll out the execution of the first-ever Tourist Rest Area (TRA) in Luzon.
In partnership with the Tourism Infrastructure Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) and the Baguio City local government, the DOT led the groundbreaking ceremony on Monday, Dec. 5.
Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco led the signing of the provisional Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the establishment of the TRA to be constructed near the Lion's Head, a favorite layover spot for tourists along Kennon Road.
Last October, the DOT broke ground on TRAs in four locations in the Visayas and Mindanao. Two TRAs were launched in the Visayas, while the other two were in Bukidnon and Samal Island in Davao.
The Baguio TRA is the first ever in Luzon, with others scheduled to be put up soon in the provinces of Bohol, Ilocos Norte, and Palawan.
"Baguio is home to one of the most beautiful cultures that our country has; also, it has a very vibrant and dynamic local community that supports its tourism initiatives. We’re very happy to help in their initiatives by adding a component to tourism that will make the travel experience of coming to Baguio even more convenient and stress-free, " said Frasco
Frasco and TIEZA Chief Operations Officer Mark Lapid spearheaded the signing of MOA along with Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong and other local officials.
"We, at the Department of Tourism, recognize the value that Baguio City brings not only in terms of your physical destinations but more importantly the intangible cultural heritage that you have so very well preserved; hence, we are here to manifest our full support," Frasco said.
Under the MOA, the TRAs will be constructed by TIEZA and when completed, the Baguio local government unit (LGU) will take charge of the facility.
The DOT will also approve any of the LGUs' requests relating to the financial sustainability of the TRA, such as the opening of pasalubong centers and other tourism-related businesses within the TRA.
Tourist arrivals in Baguio City have shown a relevant increase recently after the relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions.
“Because we're providing the Tourist Rest Area to have clean and decent restrooms, a pasalubong center, and a tourist information center. We foresee that this can add further to the already very vibrant and dynamic tourism scene here in Baguio,” Frasco said.