President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. joined Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco in opening the first Tourist Rest Area (TRA) in North Luzon located in Saud, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte. 

The project broke ground in December 2022. 

The opening began with a blessing and the unveiling of the project marker. 

In his speech, President Marcos emphasized his goal of making the Philippines a tourism powerhouse in Asia.

“In Ilocos Norte alone, we received more than three and a half million tourist same-day visitors in 2023, and around 515,000 domestic and foreign tourists stayed for longer. It shows that we have the attraction, we have the products, and we have the people to make it happen. I am truly proud to claim this land [as] my home,” he said.

The TRA is situated at the municipal beach of Pagudpud, often referred to as the "Boracay of the North," and recognized as one of the 25 most beautiful beaches in the world.

The TRA will serve as a one-stop shop for visitors, offering tourist information and assistance, charging and workstations, free internet connection, an automated teller machine, dining and rest areas, and a souvenir center. 

Nearby attractions include Kabigan Falls, Patapat Viaduct, and Blue Lagoon in Pagudpud.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) said it aims to support and provide livelihood opportunities to local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) by establishing more Tourist Rest Areas nationwide.

“These TRAs have been established across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, with 10 having been constructed in 2023 to 2024, and with at least 20 more to be constructed upon the directive of our president, as high north as Batanes, to as south [as] Sulu and Tawi Tawi, East Eastern Samar, and as far west as Brookspoint in Palawan,” Frasco said.