BAGUIO CITY — Mayor Benjamin Magalong shared that Baguio City is still trying to reach its big goal of 2.2 million tourists in one year now that the pandemic is over.
Before COVID-19 happened, Baguio already had 1.7 to 1.8 million visitors every year. During the pandemic, the number dropped and the city only got about 1.3 million tourists, based on records from hotels and other registered accommodation places.
Now that travel is open again, the city hoped they would reach 2.2 million tourists a year, but they haven’t been able to do that yet.
The mayor explained that if they count everyone — including day-trip visitors (people who don’t stay overnight), tourists staying with relatives, those using Airbnb, and guests in unregistered transient houses — Baguio might actually have about 2 million visitors each year. But that’s still less than the target.
Mayor Magalong said that in 2023, Baguio’s tourist numbers did improve compared to pandemic years. But when tourist spots around the world reopened, the number of visitors to Baguio slowed down again because people now had more travel options.
To solve this, the city is now making strategic plans to attract more tourists — even during the rainy season, when fewer people visit.
Next week, there will be a preliminary meeting with the Tourism Council to start planning. They will also hold a workshop to think of creative ideas and new events that can bring in more visitors.
Mayor Magalong is determined to bring more life back to Baguio’s tourism so that the city can reach — or even go beyond — their 2.2 million visitor goal.
