Region 1 ‘tourism bubble' opens September 22

BAGUIO CITY — The coun-try’s Summer Capital is ready for the launch of the tourism bubble dubbed “The Ridge and Reef (RnR)” travel corridor, covering the provinces of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union and Pangasinan, and this city.

- ZALDY COMANDA

City Tourism Officer Engr. Alex Mapalo said the city will only accept tourists coming from these four provinces in Region 1 during phase 1 of the opening of its borders to visitors, which starts September 22.

Mapalo said tourists must preregister at the online visitors registration system using the VIS.I.T.A application (Visitors Information and Tourist Assistance) that is available on android and IOS.

This would be jointly utilized by the LGUs which will give a confirmation to each and every tourist whether they are allowed to enter or not. Each person will be provided a QR code.

He said the gradual opening of tourism was set in three phases that would include Phase 1 as Intra-Corridor Travel aimed to be completed in two months; Phase 2 for the expanded travel corridor projected months after the launch, and Phase 3 as the sub-national inter-travel projected after three months of the launch.

Initially, only 200 tourists a day will be allowed in the city for easy monitoring of movement.

Guests, who may have relatives or friends in the city, will not be allowed to stay in residential homes, and are constrained to book hotel accommodations to abide by health sector recommendations and keep residential areas free from travelers.

Tourists will also be prohibited to visit the Baguio Public Market, as the area is one of the most crowded sites in the city.