BAGUIO CITY – More tourists visited the Cordillera region last year than in 2014.
The Department of Tourism (DOT) reported that a total of 1,491,867 domestic tourists, 1,402,582 foreign tourists and 88,626 balikbayan visited the Cordillera last year. This registered a 29 percent growth rate compared to the 3.77 percent growth rate in 2014.
Cordillera has a fair share of foreign tourist arrivals with French nationals topping the list followed by the Israelis while Germans and Swiss are consistently arriving year roundl, DOT regional director Marie Venus Tan bared in kapihan forum last week.
Tan said that the growth was driven by the Philippines’ improved activation in the market as well as connectivity and access.
One thing unique that our region has is its rich natural resources with its green environment, so we need to take care and enhance our ecosystem, Tan emphasized. She also stressed on focus towards environment-friendly policies and practices especially in the tourism industry, which relies heavily on natural attractions.
The tourism industry in the region is contributing a lot in our local economy and it likewise help in the livelihood of our frontliners like the transport sector, owners of small business entrepreneurs,” she added.(JDP/JBZ- PIA CAR)
