More tourists are visiting Pangasinan now

• Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=6&rid=772690
• Monday, June 15, 2015

(PNA), CTB/LVM/JOHANNE MARGARETTE R. MACOB/RMA

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, June 15 (PNA)--More tourists are visiting Pangasinan now than at any time in the past.

This was disclosed by newly-confirmed head of the Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office (PTCAO), Maria Luisa Elduayan, when she spoke before the members of the provincial board on June 15.

Elduayan said there is a 37% annual average growth rate of tourist arrivals in Pangasinan for the past five years.

The data on tourist arrivals was based on records of accommodation establishments that catered to these tourists mainly from the towns of Lingayen, Bolinao, Alaminos City, Dagupan City, San Fabian, Balungao and Rosales.

These tourists visited the Capitol Complex, the Hundred Islands National Park, the minor Bsilica of Manaoag, , Balungao Hilltop Adventure, Protected Landscape in Mangatarem, Patar Beach in Bolinao, Tondol Beach in Anda, among others.

She added that there was a total of P362-million tourism receipts collected in the year 2014, as provided by a departure point survey.

The amount indicates the average expenditure of tourists who visited Pangasinan last year, which, she added, has boosted the local economy.

Meanwhile, Elduayan vowed constant coordination with tourism officers of the different towns in Pangasinan to develop and promote more tourist attractions of the province.

She said they are having regular quarterly meeting.

Also, Elduayan, noting that most tourist spots in Pangasinan are youth-oriented, disclosed they are partnering with private sector to develop more senior citizen-friendly attractions.

“The task to develop more tourist attractions for the elderly or to all types of tourists is a challenge for us,” she noted.

Further, Elduayan and the provincial board called for more investments on accommodation establishments, noting that the province lacks enough facilities to accommodate national and even international conventions.

Board Member Mojamito Libunao also noted that the “most profitable tourism program is to make Pangasinan a convention destination.”

Elduayan also vowed technical assistance, trainings, and promotional supports to the various tourism establishments in the province.