Laoag City—Ilocos Norte
Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc has committed to the opening of the
"Northern Luzon Tourism Corridor," an initiative of chief executives
and tourism councils in Northern Luzon to cushion the impact of COVID-19 across
tourism industries.
Preparing for the resumption of tourism by rolling out a
rehabilitation plan, the provincial governments of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La
Union, and Pangasinan, and the city government of Baguio have collaborated to
prioritize the livelihood rehabilitation of their constituents while
guaranteeing the overall safety of tourists and spurring again tourism-related
economic activities.
"We started
discussing the 'Tourism Bubble' concept together with 'the Department of
Tourism (DOT) and counterparts in Region I and Baguio City, as well as other tourism
officers in the country because at that time, very early in May, there was no clear reference about how to
address the impact of the pandemic," explained Aian B. Raquel, Ilocos
Norte's provincial tourism officer.
Chief executives and tourism councils have mutually agreed to
promote each other's tourism attractions among local communities, underscoring
the importance of ensuring tourists' and residents' safety.
Earlier today, Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong, Ilocos Sur 2nd
District Rep. Kristine Singson Meehan, Ilocos Sur Gov. Ryan Luis Singson,
Ilocos Norte Gov. Mathew Joseph Marcos Manotoc, Pangasinan Gov. Amado I. Espino
III, and La Union Gov. Francisco Emmanuel Ortega, who was represented by
Department of Tourism (DOT) Region I Regional Director Joseph Francisco Ortega
signed a memorandum of understanding, at the Baguio Country Club.
Meanwhile, the Provincial Government, through the Ilocos Norte
Tourism Office (INTO), has been working on the province's guidelines;
consulting with top doctors and medical frontliners, alongside accommodation establishments
organizations, tour guides, and tour operators, and other tourism stakeholders
to produce dynamic tour programs flexible to its current public health situation.
"Our reopening is gradual, carefully planned with strict
policies, and our program is nimble and responsive to the changing situations
caused by the pandemic. We must open slowly, safely, and surely," Mr.
Raquel stressed.
Rebuilding confidence to travel
To continue
promoting the province as a trusted destination, Ilocos Norte is developing the
"Safe Travel Application for You in Ilocos Norte" or Stay IN web
application that guides incoming tourists to comply with pre-arrival
requirements and in booking only accredited accommodation and tour operators.
This online platform is in collaboration with Information Technology experts of
the Mariano Marcos State University.
Mr. Raquel said tourist arrival involves a strict
pre-registration, observance of the medical triage, and SOP for hotels and tour
operators. Further, tour programs are "highly controlled" as these
were designed so that tourists will have minimal exposure to communities.
Recently, INTO also initiated "hyperlocal" activities;
a marketing strategy that targets the population in a specific community to
drive foot traffic to physical locations, such as a drive-in concert at the
Laoag City Sand Dunes and along the Ilocos Norte-Cordillera highway.
"We want a reboot or rethinking of our tourism industry in
the province and see how we can become even more sustainable in the new
normal," Mr. Raquel mused.
On the second week of September, Ilocos Norte will host tourism officials
and stakeholders from Baguio-La Union-Pangasinan-Ilocos Sur-Ilocos Norte
(BLUPISIN) Technical Working Group for finalization of guidelines and site
inspections.
On September 21, 2020, Ilocos Norte contingents will go to Baguio
City for a public show of the province's tourism offerings. Likewise, on
October 1, the province will launch initial tours of incoming tourists from outside
Ilocos Norte.
(Edison Justin B. Deus)
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