LINGAYEN– Tourism in Region 1 is booming based on visitor arrival records from the Department of Tourism (DOT) regional office.

As of the end of the third quarter this year, tourist arrivals in Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte have already surpassed the 2010 arrivals estimated at 490,000.

DOT Region 1 Director Martin Valera said he is optimistic that the tourist arrivals in Region 1 may surpass the half a million mark.

Pangasinan and Ilocos Norte registered the most number of arrivals, followed by La Union and Ilocos Sur.

Domestic tourists still account for the bulk of visitors at 90 percent and the rest are foreign tourists.

Valera said tourists come to the region for its many historical, cultural and natural sites and to participate in its many colorful festivals.

MANAOAG

Manaoag as a primary destination in the region, he said the town could attract more visitors if it has hotels, inns and more restaurants to cater to the visitors.

“There must be a conscious effort to plan the activities of pilgrims visiting Manaoag to know where they are going after visiting the church,” he added.

He recommended that measures be adopted to decongest vehicular traffic in all the roads leading to Manaoag.

Valera said tourist arrivals in Region 1 increased even after the San Fernando Airport was closed in September because of poor passenger load.

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