Ilocos, Baguio will Open for "Bubble" Tourism Corridor on Sept. 21

Baguio City

Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong announced that Baguio City will do a “bubble” tourism corridor where residents are encouraged to visit tourist destinations in the region including the four provinces of Ilocos region when it opens tourism in September 21.

"This is just a start but we can expand to cover and allow those from other areas as we progress to the full opening of tourism under the new normal," said Magalong.

According to Magalong, the opening of the city's industry is aimed at tourists in its neighboring towns in the Ilocos region with low incidence of coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19.

The four provinces include Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Sur, and Ilocos Norte where their city government signed a memorandum of agreement at a meeting with Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat at the Baguio Country Club.

Local government units (LGUs) will use the VIS.I.T.A app or the Visitors Information and Tourist Assistance app developed by Baguio using funds from the Tourism Promotions Board.

According to Baguio City tourism officer Aloysius Mapalo, tourists need to register using the app and book at hotels with a certificate authorizing operation (CAO) from the Department of Tourism and the local government.

He said accredited tour agencies also need to help tourists. "We will require it so that we can make sure that the establishment is compliant with the health standards and has a response plan while the tour agency will assure a monitored itinerary to avoid going to prohibited places," Mapalo said.

Mapalo clarified that tourists are not allowed to stay with their friends or family as a precaution.
Before entering the city, they will first go through the swab test that they will pay and wait for the result at the hotel.

Comments