Tourists in Baguio, La Trinidad decline amid high fuel prices; businesses feel impact

Despite the long weekend, tourist arrivals in Baguio City and nearby La Trinidad in Benguet declined, affecting the income of local businesses as rising fuel prices continue to dampen travel.

According to James Agustin’s report on “24 Oras” on Friday, the recent fuel price hike has affected the Strawberry Festival in La Trinidad, though some tourists continued to travel to join the celebration and watch the float parade on Saturday.

The float parade will feature 16 entries from different barangays. Participants showcased creativity by using recycled materials and decorating floats with fresh flowers, strawberries, and local vegetables.

Street dancing and drum and lyre competitions are also set to highlight the celebration.

“We are pro-environment, so it’s one way of maintaining clean and green,” said Osmondo Caluducan, a kagawad of Barangay Alapang. 

Despite the festivities, however, the local government unit of La Trinidad reported slow tourist arrivals for nearly two weeks.

“Napansin at nakita nga po natin na talagang bumaba po yung ating tourist arrival dito po sa ating bayan. Particularly dito po sa pagtaas ng krudo. Talagang nakikita natin na talagang drastic 'yung pagbaba ng mga bisita natin,” La Trinidad Mayor Roderick Awingan said.

The impact was also felt by farmers at the strawberry farm, where tourists usually come for strawberry picking.

“Sa ngayon, expected po namin kasi holiday at tsaka long weekend, dapat po medyo dagsa sana 'yung tao pero medyo kumunti po talaga siya,” said strawberry farmer Marijoy Morillo..

Even so, some tourists from far areas still traveled to make the most of the long holiday weekend.

“Amazing! Worth it 'yung experience po. Napakaganda ng Baguio. Gusto pa nga namin mag-extend pero hindi na maaari kasi may pasok na sa Lunes,” Romeo Granada shared.

Meanwhile, Mark Autos from Cabuyao, Laguna, rented a van and shared fuel costs with his friends for the trip.

“Nag-ambagan kami sa gasolina. Tapos 'yung mga pagkain na pwede namin dalhin, dinala na namin sa transients namin para makatipid kami. Doon na lang kami nagluto,” he said.

On the other hand, a new tourist attraction in La Trinidad featuring over 20,000 planted roses opened to the public on Tuesday, which is perfect for photo opportunities. 

The garden showcases more than a hundred rose varieties, including the Catalina rose, and visitors can also enjoy a panoramic view of La Trinidad, Benguet, with its various flower plantations.

Among the visitors were families from Metro Manila and Iloilo City.

“Very good, very colorful ‘yung mga flowers,” Cecil Quebrar said, adding that they will make the most out of the long weekend to explore other areas. 

In Baguio City, tourist numbers have also reportedly decreased, but some visitors still braved the high fuel prices to enjoy the cool mountain air.

“Malamig, tsaka mukhang wala masyadong tao kasi nga sa tumaas ‘yung gasolina. Eh na-book na namin ito na matagal na, kaya mas okay,” Rodan Sabala shared.

“Hindi pa po kami nakapunta dito, first time lang namin. So gusto namin ma-experience 'yung mga napapanood lang namin,” Alex Buenafe added.

According to an oil industry source, prices are in for another round of mega price hike, still amid the ongoing petroleum crisis due to the Middle East war.

The projected pump price increases next week are the following:

• Diesel - P14.00 to P14.50 per liter
• Gasoline - P7.00 to P7.50 per liter

These projections could push the retail prices of diesel to as much as P130 per liter, and gasoline to breach the P100 per liter mark following the double-digit hikes this week.

—Jade Veronique Yap/CDC, GMA Integrated News