VARIOUS events in Baguio City is expected to bring more crowds during the last quarter of the year.
Baguio Tourism Officer Alec Mapalo said that in previous years, it is expected that the last two months of the year have most number of tourists.
“At least 20 percent of the year’s total tourist arrivals, particularly, December is the month of the year that attracts the most tourist, usually 30 percent more than the average monthly tourist arrivals,” Mapalo said.
Records show in 2018 that the city had 190 to 500 tourists during the month of December.
“The City Tourism Office is expecting to attract more tourists this year for the next two months as Baguio offers exciting events, activities and experiences, never seen before,” Mapalo added.
In November, the city will launch the Ibagiw Creative City Festival.
“The festival is an enhancement of last year’s offering, the ENTAcool Festival. Thus, more creative and enriched activities this year in partnership with the private organization of local artists, the Baguio Arts and Creatives Collective Inc. (BACCI),” Mapalo said.
The Ibagiw “Made in Baguio” Competition in Crafts and Folk Art will feature local artisans and craftsmen showcasing innovative traditional Baguio crafts, such as weaving, basketry, woodcarving, and metalcraft.
Another new feature is the “Re-imagining Baguio” -- a series of works from local artists that depict their stories, impressions, visions or aspirations for Baguio through art installations, murals, and short films that will be mounted in different venues around the city.
Other activities of Ibagiw include the “Creative Marketplace” at Dominican Heritage Hill that will showcase crafts and folk art pieces for sale.
Another is the "Culture Bearers of Baguio" photo exhibit featuring portraits by local photographers of selected Baguio artists and artisans, and the “Jamming on a G-string” -- a fashion show set with live performances by local musicians.
The Ibagiw Festival will also feature on November 16 pockets of private- and community-led creative and art activities and galleries and an international conference on Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) crafts and folk art.
To usher the Christmas season, “An Enchanting Baguio Christmas”, is set to be a one-of-a-kind Christmas experience in the country.
The event is planned to be a unique and alluring attraction during the merriest season of the year and is in partnership with the Baguio Tourism Council, a private organization composed of the city’s tourism stakeholders.
“The centerpiece feature of this Christmas offering is the ‘Baguio Christmas Fair.’ It will be a replication of the famous Christmas Markets around Europe during the same time of the year,” Mapalo said.
The tourism officer said that 20 specially-designed chalets will be clustered in four areas of the Rose Garden in Burnham Park and will showcase Christmas goodies and items for display and selling.
He said that the Rose Garden will also have a picnic and dining area, a recreation area, and a stage where the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra will perform during the opening night on November 24.
“Simultaneously, the Burnham Lake will be lighted ala Swan Lake,” he added.
He said all of the barangays and the different local private organizations and establishments around the city will join in the two-month activity until January 15, 2020.