Once upon a time, the quiet town of Atok in Benguet was just known for its farms and super cold weather during the “frost season.” People would only hear about it on the news when the crops froze in the early months of the year.
But now? Tourists are rushing in. And it’s all thanks to two magical places:
👉 Northern Blossoms Flower Farm
👉 Sakura Park (a.k.a. Japan-PH Friendship Garden)
These places didn’t just make Atok famous—they helped boost the town’s money, jobs, and pride!
💰 From Freezing Cold to Hot Spot for Visitors!
Mayor Franklin Smith shared something amazing:
They’re still promoting tourism, and it’s working like magic. The money the town earns from tourists is helping a lot, especially when it comes to running the town and giving people jobs.
Just look at this:
-
💸 In 2023, Atok earned ₱3.2 million in tourist fees
-
💸 In 2024, they made over ₱8 million!
-
💸 And from January to May 2025 alone, they already collected ₱5 million!
That’s from people paying small environmental fees to visit the stunning gardens and views.
🌼 What’s So Special About Atok?
It’s the flowers, the mountain views, and the cold, cozy weather. People love waking up there, watching the sunrise surrounded by flower fields and vegetable gardens.
Before, only 11 homes were open for overnight visitors. Now? There are over 20 places to stay! That means more jobs, more income, and more chances for locals to shine.
👩🌾 How Tourists Help the Whole Town
Mayor Smith says that because of all the visitors:
-
New businesses opened
-
Locals got jobs (especially young people as tour guides!)
-
Farmers sell their veggies and flowers directly to tourists—no more expensive trips to sell in far-away cities
-
More taxes are paid, which helps fix roads, buy garbage trucks, and take care of the environment
Even shy people in town started becoming friendly guides, all thanks to this tourism boom!
💐 The Flower Farm That Started It All
A local flower farmer, Lany Ganayan, owns Northern Blossoms. Her family has been growing flowers and vegetables for years.
One day, a local journalist took a photo of their beautiful cabbage roses. He brought a vlogger to visit. That video? It went viral! 😱
Soon, people started coming by the thousands just to see the flowers. Lany and her neighbors were surprised—but happy. They worked together to make their farm even better for tourists.
Now, it’s not just a farm. It’s a place where:
✅ Visitors can enjoy breathtaking views
✅ Locals earn money
✅ The whole town benefits
🌸 Sakura Park: A Friendship That Blossoms
Aside from Northern Blossoms, there’s also Sakura Park, where cherry blossoms bloom—just like in Japan! This garden was planted to celebrate 50 years of friendship between the Philippines and Japan.
It’s now one of the most Instagrammable spots in the Cordilleras!
🚌 Part of the Baguio Tourism Loop
Mayor Smith is super grateful because Atok is now part of the Baguio tourism loop—which means when tourists visit Baguio, they often include Atok in their plans.
“Tourism changed everything,” the mayor said.
“And we’re thankful to everyone who helped us bloom.”
🌻 So What’s the Lesson?
Even a quiet little farming town can bloom into something big, with hard work, a little viral magic, and flowers that make people smile.
