BAGUIO CITY – The Cordillera tourism industry contributed some PhP10.7 billion to the economy with the reported 17.7 percent increase in foreign and domestic tourist arrivals last year compared to the arrivals recorded in the previous year.
Jovita Ganongan, regional director of the Cordillera office of the Department of Tourism (DOT-CAR), said that there were some 1,983,511 foreign and domestic tourists that visited the different destinations in the region last year compared to the 1,685,133 arrivals that were previously documented in 2023 and the 1,284,906 arrivals in 2022.
She noted that of the tourist arrivals last year, 1,937,290 are domestic visitors, 45,739 are foreign tourists and 482 are balikbayans.
The DOT-CAR official pointed out that the top ten foreign markets of the region are France – 8,829, United States of America (USA) – 5,325, Germany – 4,706, South Korea – 3,347, China – 2,272, United Kingdom – 1,654, Japan – 1,481, Canada – 1,349, Australia – 1,266 and Israel – 1,075.
In 2023, Franc was the top source of foreign tourists with 4,698 followed by USA with 4,282, Israel – 1859, South Korea – 1,660, China – 1,579, Germany – 1,437, United Kingdom – 1,252, Canada – 1,033, Australia – 941 and Japan – 917.
According to her, Europeans continue to be the top foreign tourist arrivals in the region because they prefer nature-based activities which the Cordillera is ready for it because of its existing ecotourism destinations aside from its cool climate that serves as a natural pull for people to prioritize their visits to the various tourist destinations.
Ganongan added that one of the major factors that contributed to the significant increase in tourist arrivals in the region last year was the improved infrastructure leading to the said tourist spots that made these destinations accessible and providing convenience to the visitors.
She attributed the significant improvement to the region’s infrastructure to the more than PhP11.4 billion worth of convergence projects implemented by the DOT and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) over the past twelve years since its start way back in 2012.
The said convergence project completed some 376.330 kilometers of roads leading to the various tourist destinations in the different provinces of the region.
Benguet had the longest road network that was completed under the DOT-DPWH convergence project with 135.806 kilometers followed by Ifugao with 68.818 kilometers, Mountain Province – 66.582 kilometers, Apayao – 61.300 kilometers, Abra – 22.739 kilometers, Kalinga – 17.835 kilometers and Baguio City – 3.250 kilometers.
Ganongan emphasized that what is distinct in the region is its rich culture, heritage and history coupled with the blessings of nature and weather that allows foreign and domestic visitors to enjoy their well deserved break in their preferred tourist destinations.
She said that the region continues to thrive as one of the preferred ecotourism destinations in the country and will surely enjoy a share from the projected increase in foreign tourist arrivals in the coming years potentially boosting the economic growth in the rural communities. By Dexter A. See
