Luna, Apayao – Tourism industry in the Province of Apayao showed a huge progress in 2024 with tourist arrivals increasing by over 450% from the previous year.
This was highlighted during the coordination meeting with Governor Elias C. Bulut, Jr. and the provincial department heads on January 21 at the Clubhouse of Apayao Eco-Tourism and Sports Complex (AETSC) in San Gregorio, Luna.
Provincial Tourism Officer Rebecca T. Mamba presented the Provincial Tourism Services Office’s (PTSO) accomplishment and challenges for 2024 including the surge in tourist arrivals, which reached 33,192 compared to 6,044 in 2023. The revenue collected from the provincial government-managed tourist sites also rose considerably with a total of Php 795,686.55 for 2024.
Mamba then emphasized the PTSO’s vision for sustainable tourism development that will balance economic growth along with the preservation of the province’s natural resources. She likewise made mention of the new artifacts for the soon-to-be established tourism showroom but raised concerns about the unturned-over artifacts collected since 1995.
“Efforts to recover original gongs are underway,” Mamba reported, as Apayao currently possesses only one, compared to neighboring Kalinga’s seven sets.
Gov. Bulut likewise emphasized the importance of reflecting on the past decade of tourism development to guide future strategies, and left an important note stating that “the development of tourism sector is paramount to the economic prosperity of our province.”
APIO – Krizza Joy Castillo