BAGUIO CITY, May 11 (PIA) — Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong and San Fernando City La Union Acting Mayor Alfredo Pablo Ortega have formalized an agreement to establish a tourism bubble to spur economic recovery between the two cities.
Magalong and Ortega last week signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the undertaking of a“Summit and Sea Baguio – San Fernando Tourism Bubble.”
A Technical Working Group composed of representatives from the administration, tourism, police, and health offices of both local government units (LGUs) shall be create to draft a document for the creation of the bubble.
Department of Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat who joined the event virtually, explained that under the Summit and Sea Travel Bubble, Baguio and San Fernando will allow the interchange of tourists. They will share the same set of entry protocols and have destinations limited to registered accommodation establishments, approved sites, and attractions.
“I am confident that the two cities will be able to make the Summit and Sea Travel Bubble succeed, and will inspire other provinces and tourism destinations to consider implementing a similar, yet effective set-up,” Puyat said.
She stressed that the cooperation among government, stakeholders, tourism workers, and local communities is essential, because working together is the only way forward to contain the impact of this COVID pandemic to the tourism industry, which is a major contributor to the economy.
Magalong assured that reviving tourism will be done safely, surely, and steadily to make sure that no one, tourists and residents alike, gets into harm’s way.
This partnership will make both cities thrive again amidst the challenges of the times because of their natural resources – the mountains and trees of Baguio and the beautiful beaches of San Fernando, Ortega said. **By Joseph B. Zambrano