Mindanaotoday.com | NorMin tourism starts recovering
By: Uriel Quilinguing
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – There are signs tourism industry is on its way to recovery, even surpassing pre-pandemic levels, as shown by room occupancy rates in the past five months this year, a Cagayan de Oro-based resort developer said Friday, July 15.
Speaking virtually during the 2nd Northern Mindanao Business Conference, Engr. Elpidio Paras said visitor arrivals in the region went up between 30 to 40-percent during the first-half this year, compared to the same period last year.
Paras, whose family owns Dahilayan Adventure Park in Manolo Fortich of Bukidnon, said occupancy rates were from 60 to 80 percent since February this year – way above pre-pandemic figures of 40 to 50 percent.
The influx of visitors, he said, is due to “revenge tourism” – a phenomenon that emerged during long period of travel restrictions due to threats of coronavirus infections.
And this was observed when tourist-related establishments reopened in February this year.
Paras, who also operates Seven Seas Water Park in Barra village of Opol, Misamis Oriental, said some have saved enough to spend for reunions, reschedule cancelled trips, and revisit favorite places.
There have been new come-ons, he said, citing Route 955 in Claveria, Misamis Oriental and Kampo Juan in Diklum, Manolo Fortich, being frequented by visitors. Even strawberry and grape farms in Bukidnon have become tourist come-ons lately.
Paras said tourists look for open spaces to breath fresh air, touch and smell flowers, ride a horse, taste food and fruits they seldom see, and even trace their roots through heritage and cultural tours.
He said the prospects include those from colder countries who travel for sun and sand which the region, particularly Camiguin, can offer.
Nearby Camiguin’s White Island, a sandbar that changes its shape depending on sea-wave direction, is a beach resort which the Paras family manages.
The conference, with about 200 virtual delegates, was organized by Italian Chamber, backed by the European Union, and in cooperation with Oro Chamber and Valencia Chamber.
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