67% of Baguio’s lodging businesses still closed

MAJORITY of accommodation establishments in Baguio have yet to resume operations despite the city’s recent reopening to tourists.

Tourism Operations Officer Aloysius C. Mapalo, in a press release Monday, said more than 800 lodgings, or about 67% of the 1,200 total registered pre-pandemic, are still closed as leisure travelers allowed to enter the city remains limited.

He said most of these businesses are small-scale accommodations.

“With the recent re-opening of the city to tourists… the local government is hopeful that the accommodation establishments that are not yet operational will be able to gradually and safely resume their operations with the expected influx of visitors even if the number of travelers to the city is currently being limited to around 2,000 daily,” Mr. Mapalo said.

Those planning to go to Baguio must pre-register through visita.baguio.gov.ph. Fully-vaccinated guests are no longer required to submit a negative coronavirus test result.

All visitors are still required to go through the central triage area at the Baguio Convention Center for checking of documents.

Mr. Mapalo said three hotels — Baguio Country Club, Camp John Hay Manor, and Forest Lodge — have also been accredited by the local government to conduct triaging for their respective guests.