No stopping tourists from going to Surigao del Norte

BUTUAN CITY – There’s no stopping the influx of tourists in Surigao del Norte – not even martial law.

Provincial officials have disclosed Sunday that tourist arrivals in Surigao del Norte continued to soar in different tourism destinations, especially in Siargao.

They noted that tourists have been streaming into the province at a stable pace, and even increased with the declaration of martial law in Mindanao last May.

And with Christmas and New Year fast-approaching, more foreign tourists are expected to arrive in Siargao Island as many have already booked months earlier, according to Surigao del Norte Gov. Sol F. Matugas.

Surigao del Norte Rep. Francisco Jose F. Matugas II said resorts in Siargao are now fully booked, with some entertainment personalities among the visitors who will stay throughout the Yuletide season.

Almost half of the targeted two million tourist arrivals by the Department of Tourism in Region 13 (DOT-Caraga Region 13) are expected to visit Surigao del Norte and Siargao Island, and neighboring province of Surigao del Sur just in the coming weeks.

Topping the tourists visiting the province and the acknowledged “Paradise Island of Siargao” are those from the United States, Australia, China, Canada, Germany, Japan, United Kingdom, Korea, France, Russia and Sweden.

What added to the influx of tourists was the decision of two airline companies to have direct flights from Manila to Siargao’s Sayak airport. These were apart from the daily scheduled flights from Cebu. (Mike U. Crismundo)