Wednesday, March 27, 2024
Caraga region, especially Siargao Island, is witnessing an influx of travelers looking to spend the remaining days of Holy Week amidst its renowned islands and ecotourism attractions. Tourism officials predict a dramatic 599.25% rise in tourist arrivals for the week, with Siargao Island being a significant attraction, compared to the same timeframe in 2023.
This surge is credited to improvements that have enhanced the accessibility of tourism destinations in the region, including increased boat trips and direct flights from various parts of the country to Siargao’s Sayak Airport in Del Carmen, Surigao del Norte. The frequency of inbound flights to Siargao now ranges from 12 to 14 daily, originating from major cities such as Metro Manila, Cebu, Clark, and Davao.
The Department of Tourism in Caraga anticipates welcoming over 38,137 tourists to Siargao and the broader Caraga region up until Easter Sunday. This expectation marks a significant rebound from the 5,454 tourists recorded during the 2023 Holy Week, which was impacted by the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and poor accessibility to its islands. Specifically, Siargao Island is expected to see a 785.56% increase in tourist arrivals, totaling 14,904 visitors, a significant rise from 2023’s total of 1,683 arrivals.
Island hopping remains a key tourist activity in Siargao, particularly around General Luna town. The Department of Tourism-Caraga, directed by Ivonnie Dumadag, has coordinated with boat operators from other towns in Surigao del Norte to support the anticipated surge of tourists visiting the island’s popular destinations like Daku, Naked, and Guyam islands.
Del Carmen, home to the famous Sugba Lagoon, has implemented environmental safeguards and prepared to regulate the influx of tourists to its ecotourism spots. The town’s tourism officer, Leilani Lipio, highlighted that up to 1,500 visitors were expected by Maundy Thursday, with an additional 2,000 to 3,000 anticipated on Good Friday and Black Saturday. Measures have been taken to regulate tourist numbers at Sugba Lagoon to a maximum of 300 per three-hour batch, ensuring sustainability and environmental conservation while accommodating the tourist surge.
Saturday, April 27, 2024
