Baguio, a famous tourist destination for those looking for a cool and quick getaway in Luzon, is now welcoming tourists from Metro Manila, Cagayan Valley, and Central Luzon. Before October 23, they were operating under a tourism bubble which only allowed neighboring provinces to visit them. However, with the easing of quarantine restrictions all over the country, the government of Baguio decided to include the whole of Luzon as well.
Since only 200 tourists are allowed per day, travelers will have to schedule their trip with the Baguio Visitor Information and Travel Assistance (VIS.I.T.A). When scheduling a visit on their website, they’ll ask where you’ll be coming from, how you’ll get there, why you’ll be going there, and your point of interest in the City of Pines.
Before visitors were required to book with a travel agency but now, they are only required to stay in a Department of Tourism (DOT)-accredited accommodation to make sure the place of lodging has a Certificate Authority to Operate.
You will also be required to complete a health declaration form prior to the trip so you’ll have to upload your COVID-19 test results. Once your application to visit is approved, you will receive a QR Coded Tourist Pass (QTP).
Baguio is proactive in contact tracing so the QTP will be used throughout the visit to ensure no one is going around with the virus. The QTP will also track the number of people coming in and out of establishments and checkpoints.
The further opening of Baguio will hopefully help the recovery of the city’s tourism industry.
Article photos by Dutchy4 from Wikipedia and Wandering Soul Camper
