Baguio City expects 500K tourists during Panagbenga Festival 2023

Around 400,000 to 500,000 tourists are expected to visit Baguio City during the celebration of the Panagbenga Festival 2023, Mayor Benjamin Magalong said on Thursday.

“We're expecting itong February baka aabot kami ng mga 400,000 to 500,000 kasi napakaraming aakyat ngayon (We're expecting that this February we will have 400,000 to 500,000 tourists because many people will go to Baguio City now),” Magalong said in an interview on GMA News’ Unang Balita.

For the security of the occasion, Magalong said they increased the deployment of police, reserve commands, and public safety office personnel in concerned areas.

“Buffer zones” are also set to prevent overcrowding, he added.

The Panagbenga Festival kicked off on Wednesday, Magalong said. Its biggest activities like the grand parade will be held on February 25 and 26. The festival will close on March 5.

The street dance and float parade will be back in the celebration. Due to the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic, some activities in the Panagbenga Festival have been canceled since 2020.

During the festival's launching ceremony in December 2022, Magalong said, “It would be a reset button. All the features of Panagbenga 2019 will be featured in 2023 Panagbenga and there will be no holds barred.” — Joviland Rita/RSJ, GMA Integrated News