The municipality of Atok, known for its vast agricultural lands that produce flowers, continues to make a mark as an eco-tourism destination.
Joanna Mae Balao, municipal tourism operations officer, said on Friday that their visitor arrivals have been increasing, thus giving both the locals and the local government unit higher earnings.
“We were able to collect PHP8.2 million in environmental fees in 2024 compared to PHP3 million in 2023,” she noted.
Balao said tourists pay PHP50 environmental fee each to the tourism information office, where they are required to register before proceeding to their destinations.
Based on the individual fee, the tourist arrivals reached 165,000 in 2024 and about 60,000 in 2023.
“Tumataas ang tourist arrival natin although marami pa rin ang hindi nare-record dahil ang mga accommodation establishments natin hindi masyadong cooperative dahil nakatuon ang mata ng BIR (Bureau of Internal Revenue) sa kanila kaya hindi natin nakukuha ang actual arrivals (Our tourist arrival is increasing although we have yet to get the actual number with some tourism-related establishments not cooperating due to the BIR’s eyes on them),” Balao said.
Among the most popular tourist destinations in Atok are the Northern Blossom, Ambiance Garden Half Tunnel, Haight’s Place and Benguet Kochi Park or the Sakura Park, Mt. Olis Viewpoint, Wagangan Rock Formation and Lourdes Grotto, Goat Cliff Adventure and Camping, and Mount Timbac summit.
The vegetable frost phenomenon, although not positively viewed as a tourist attraction due to its ill effect on farmers’ production and income, is also becoming an attraction.
Due to Atok’s temperature which rarely rises above 20 degees Celsius, lower than in any part of Baguio City and Benguet, different flower varieties grow in this town, such as carnations and tulips.
Good business
Balao also noted that from only a few accommodation facilities, they now have 30.
She added that several coffee shops, restaurants, and other businesses have also opened to cater to the needs of tourists.
“This will also mean income for the local government unit in terms of business taxes and the job generation that results from the opening of tourism-related facilities,” she said. (PNA)
