Atok town opens 12 tourism spots to boost local economy
ATOK, Benguet – Foreign and domestic tourists wanting to explore other emerging destinations in Benguet can try visiting the twelve frequently visited scenic spots in the province located in this municipality.
Mayor Franklin Smith said that the municipal tourism office closely worked with the regional office of the Department of Tourism and concerned local tourism industry stakeholders to identify the suitable tourist spots in the municipality that can be aggressively promoted to entice visitors to consider Atok as their must visit destination.
Among the existing tourist destinations in the municipality are the Tayao Garden along Km. 24, Halsema highway; Half tunnel along Km 47, Paoay; Northern Blossom flower farm along Km. 50, Sayangan, Paoay; Ambiance Garden at Sayangan, Paoay; Haight’s Place and Benguet-Kochi Park at Paoay; Mount Olis Viewpoint at Sayangan, Paoay; Wagangan rock formation and Lourdes Grotto at Paoay; Goat Cliff Adventure and Camping at Tagongtongao, Paoay; Second highest point of the Philippine highway system at Km. 53 Halsema Highway; Hidden Cypress Botanical Garden at Km. 54 Tulodan, Atok and Mount Timbac summit at Cattubo, Atok.
The municipal chief executive claimed that agriculture and tourism will be the town’s major economic driver in the coming years, especially when the various tourist destinations in the different barangays shall have been identified and documented by the concerned offices for their eventual promotion.
Smith lauded the efforts of local tourism industry stakeholders for organizing the Atok Tourism Association (ATA) that will surely contribute in elevating these tourist spots to a higher level among the public that will translate to increase in visitors to the municipality.
He said that tourists wanting to stay overnight to enjoy the town’s cool and romantic weather can stay at existing accommodation establishments in several areas within these destination.
From the 11 accommodation establishments that secured business permits in 2023, this increased to 23 in 2024 and significantly increased to 33 during the first quarter of this year.
Previously, Atok was known to be just a stopover area for travelers going to the different tourist destinations in the central Cordillera but it eventually emerged as one of the emerging tourist destinations in Benguet that placed the municipality in the country’s tourism map.
Mayor Smith pointed out that part of the ongoing initiatives of the municipality to provide convenience to visitors is the ongoing improvement of the market through the construction of the five-storey structure that will be a one-stop shop for micro, small and medium enterprises to market their products.
He added that the municipal government is also trying to closely working with some property owners within the vicinity of the established tourist spots to make available their lots for pay-parking purposes to help address the parking problems of visitors wanting to explore the town’s destinations while the first and second floors of the proposed market structure are planned to include parking slots. By Dexter A. See
