The Department of Tourism in the Cordillera Administrative Region (DOT-CAR) reported that the rise in tourist numbers has positively impacted the livelihoods of local residents.

At a media event in Baguio City on March 12, DOT-CAR director Jovita Ganongan stated that increased tourism has generated economic benefits. In 2024, CAR welcomed 1,983,511 tourists across its six provinces and two cities, which is a significant increase from 1.68 million in 2023 and 1.28 million in 2022.

Economic Benefits

Ganongan mentioned that with the average daily expenditures of PHP7,000 for foreign tourists and PHP4,000 for domestic tourists, the region accrued PHP10.72 billion in tourism receipts. She added that while this calculation was based on a one-day average, tourists typically spend two to three days at destinations, indicating substantial economic contributions via job creation and business opportunities.

“Tourists need places to stay and eat, and they buy souvenirs, all of which create local jobs,” Ganongan explained.

Top destinations for European tourists include Ifugao, Kalinga, and the Mountain Province, while Baguio City is favored by American travelers. The region saw the highest number of arrivals from French visitors in 2024, totaling 8,829, followed by 5,325 Americans and 4,706 Germans.

The success of tourism also leads to government investments in infrastructure, with 376.33 kilometers of tourism roads built at a cost of PHP11.47 trillion from 2012 to 2024. Ganongan concluded by highlighting that the government is focused not only on infrastructure development but also on staffing and training to enhance the Filipino brand of service for both domestic and foreign tourists.