Benguet tourism on the rise

TOURIST arrivals in Benguet continue to increase with 1,149,201 visiting the province during the first semester of the year.

According to the Benguet Tourism Office, top tourist destinations includes La Trinidad Strawberry Farm as the most visited area with 538,346 tourist arrivals, Bencab Museum in Tuba with 123,914 and six resorts and parks, followed by Mount Pulag in Kabayan with 33,255 arrivals and La Trinidad trading post with 15,851 arrivals.

New tourist destinations this year includes the Sakura Park and Nothern Blossom Farm in Atok, the Badi and Toplac Falls in Kibungan, and the Mount Costa Park along Pico-Lamtang Road in La Trinidad.

Benguet tourism operations officer Claire Prudencio said the province is still faced with several challenges despite the influx of tourists.

Prudencio said the province has imposed carrying capacities in the different trekking sites in the province to control tourist arrivals in Mt. Pulag and Mt. Ulap.

Based on the initial report, the tourism office noted an 18 percent increase for same day visitors, six percent for accomodation establishments, and 22 percent increase from overseas tourist arrivals from January to June this year compared to last year.

Activities and festivals have also lure tourist arrival this year with the 24 activities celebrated in the province.

Top 10 foreign visitors came from China, Korea, Japan, Guam France, U.S.A., Canada, Germany, Spain, Netherlands, and Italy.

Prudencio said the number of tourist is expected to increase for the coming months with the cold climate.