BOLINAO town is looking forward to another tourism boom this year after enjoying an increase in tourist arrivals in 2019 compared to arrivals in 2018, showing a 48.12% increase.

Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2019, tourist arrivals registered 532,142 tourists compared to 2018’s 359,269 tourist arrivals same period that visited the town.

Municipal Tourism Officer Mary De Guzman said 3,261 were foreign tourists while 528,881 were domestic tourists.

The most popular destination in Bolinao are still the White Sand Beach in Barangay Patar and the three falls.

The other growing tourist attractions are: Silaqui Giant Clam Nursery, Dewey Sandbars, St. James Great Parish (one of the oldest catholic churches in the country), Cape Bolinao Lighthouse and Balingasay River.

The town plans to collect entrance fees in the destinations next month.

She said “tourism helps local economy because the tourists spend and indirectly support the employment of residents in establishments. “

De Guzman attributed the increased tourist arrivals here to the local government’s active promotion in media and continuous improvement of infrastructure, facilities and services available to tourists.

The municipal government launched its tourism website (www.bolinaotourism.com) last year, providing information about the tourism destinations, recreational and sports facilities and services available.

The tourism office also trains tour guides, she said.

Meanwhile, the municipal government is implementing local accreditation for tourism enterprises in their town, on top of DOT’s accreditation to ensure quality of services by applying national standards and meet environmental concerns.

There are 64 DOT- accredited tourism enterprises in the town. (Helen Martin) 

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