Improved public transportation, facilities and food choices contributed to rising tourism arrivals in Sagada, Mountain Province. From January 1 to November 30, 2023, tourists in Sagada reached 108,059 — a jump from 48,761 the entire 2022.
The December data is still being collated.
In 2019, or prior to the pandemic, Sagadaโs tourist arrivals reached 144,000.
“We are positive Sagada is drawing people back,โ Gloria Pilamon-Langbayan, Sagada Tourism Officer, said in a phone interview on Friday.
๐ด๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐-๐๐๐ฃ๐๐๐๐๐ 2023, ๐๐ข๐๐ ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐๐โ๐๐ 108,059, ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐กโ๐ 48,761 ๐๐ 2022 ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐กโ๐ 144,000 ๐๐ 2019 ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐กโ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐. (PNA photo by Liza T. Agoot)
She said tourism stakeholders are constantly enhancing their offerings to ensure visitorsโ convenience.
She said tricycles, which they call โtuk-tuk,โ serve as public transportation to encourage tourists to leave their vehicles at the hotels and other accommodation places to lessen traffic congestion.
Some roads have also been designated as parking areas to avoid clogging the townโs two-lane roads.
“Even the hotel facilities and the food they serve have been improved for health and safety, aside from keeping up with the standards,” Langbayan said.
“Thousands came here to celebrate the holidays and based on what we felt and saw, here, even without the statistics on hand, we know we have a lot of tourists,โ she added.
Sagada’s chilly weather and scenic landscapes attract local and foreign tourists alike. (PNA)
