Ilocos Norte posts 350,000 tourists during Holy Week

More than 1.5 million tourists expected for summer season 

LAOAG CITY -- With Ilocos Norte attaining its highest number of tourist arrivals during the summer season last year, the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte reported an influx of 350,000 tourists during this year’s Holy Week, aiming to hit more than 1.5 million in the number of foreign and local travelers in the province by end of summer season.

In recent years, efforts of Gov. Imee R. Marcos in promoting Ilocos Norte’s key tourist attractions and vibrant culture through the provincial government’s tourism campaign ‘Paoay Kumakaway!’ have been attracting national as well as global attention.   

Despite threats of Typhoon “Chedeng” (international name Maysak), the provincial government noted that 356,443 tourists spent the Holy Week in the province, a figure higher than the 271,106 recorded last year.

Ilocos Norte Tourism Office said tourist arrivals started on Tuesday and peaked on Friday.

Among sites that welcomed more tourists this Holy Week were world-renowned Paoay Church, La Virgen Milagrosa Chapel, Nueva Era Cultural Park and the pristine beaches of Pagudpud like the Saud Beach and the Blue Lagoon.

Meanwhile, information from INTO showed that day tourists during the summer season last year accounted to 1.5 million, an indicator of the good and improving performance of the tourism industry in the province.

“We are expecting the same numbers for this year or possibly even more,” revealed by INTO.

Marcos said the provincial government is developing several tourism facilities in key centers in Ilocos Norte and is coordinating with private sector when it comes to development of their establishments and quality of service.

Some 300 Ilocanos have been deployed by the provincial government through its ‘Task Force Trabaho’ as tourist aides, utility personnel and paramedics in 42 tourist centers in the province.

Marcos said hiring was based on the personality, not with their college courses, as tourists always look for those who are ‘madaldal’ (talkative).

Following the hiring, the beneficiaries underwent orientation March 21 to prepare them  for the industry.

Night Express was launched March to address tourists’ demands for transportation particularly the ones going to Pagudpud. This service offers night trips during Fridays to Sundays, 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. to four routes in the province (Laoag-Pagudpud, Laoag-Bacarra, Laoag-Paoay, Laoag-Dingras).—J. Michael Mugas