After the monsoon rains, mayor says tourists are back in droves

After several weeks in the doldrums due to incessant monsoon rains and typhoons, the Summer Capital is once again welcoming droves of mostly domestic tourists seeking respite from the searing lowland heat.

“After almost a month na medyo gloomy iyong ating tourism industry especially aggravated by the flooding at NLEX (North Luzon Expressway) na talagang naka-discourage sa mga turista na umakyat. Pero this weekend, ang daming turistang umakyat ulit nung naayos na iyong flooded areas sa NLEX,” the Mayor said in an interview at City Hall, August 14.

He pointed out that the increase in travel time caused by the temporary flooding at the NLEX was one of the factors that deterred visitors especially coming from the National Capital Region, Region 4 and parts of Region 3 to visit the city.

“This week, nagulat ako talaga na iyong influx ng mga motorista at tourista ay tumaas uli kaagad,” the Mayor stressed.

Meanwhile, he announced that all the city’s tourism destinations are already open to the public after the Botanical Garden was temporarily closed due to several trees deemed to be ‘unsafe’ but have already been cleared by the City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO) under Atty. Rhenan Diwas.

Located about 5,000 feet above sea level with a year-round cool climate, Baguio is known as the country’s ‘Summer Capital’, with tourism counted among its leading economic drivers. – Gaby B. Keith