ALAMINOS CITY – Less than a year since the management of the Hundred Islands was turned over to the city government, tourism here is beginning to boom in terms of arrivals and visitors.

Mayor Hernani Braganza reported a 70 percent increase in tourist arrivals at the world-famous Hundred Islands National Park (HINP) compared to last year’s record.

He said that 30 percent of the increase was contributed by foreign tourists and 40 percent by local tourists.

The city’s target tourist arrivals this year is250,000,  or 150 per cent higher than last year’s.

In 2004, the city earned P94,000 from ticket sales. The entrance fee to the islands is pegged at P20 per person, the cheapest in the entire country, Braganza said.

The management, control and operation of the HINP were turned over by the Philippine Tourism Authority last year to the city government after 65 long years.

This national park covers a land area of 1,884 hectares with actually 123 islands scattered like emeralds in the deep blue waters of Lingayen Gulf, three of which have been developed for tourists, namely, Governor Quezon and Children’s Islands.

From Lucap, one takes a boatride to any of these islands.

The city which is now celebrating its city fiesta this week as “2006  Global Homecoming” since this year’s affair, according to Braganza,  is  dedicated to all Alaminians not only based abroad who came home but also those  who are  living in other parts of the country.

He has urged them to help promote the city through direct investments in the city like putting up buildings and commercial establishments, including donating some equipment to improve the tourist facilities and services.

Any investment that will increase tourist arrivals like putting up of villages will further boost the city economy, he said.

Braganza said the city needs 500 hotel rooms to accommodate visitors who will be encouraged to stay overnight. Presently, there are only 200 rooms available for tourists.

The city has several investment areas for tourism like barangays Victoria, Telbang, Pandan which are all fronting the sea and in Lucap and Baley ya Daan.

The proposed airstrip to be built in barangay Quiboar here is still undergoing technical study.

The city is now preparing for the peak season of the HINP this summer as they will note another tremendous tourist influx.–Eva 

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