Baguio tourist arrivals dip sharply during Undas holiday period

BAGUIO CITY — Tourist arrivals in the Mountain Province dropped considerably during this year's Undas holiday period, with local authorities attributing the decline to mounting economic pressures on Filipino travelers.

The city government reported a contraction of between 15 and 18 percent in visitor numbers during the All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day observance, marking a notable slowdown in the tourism sector during what is traditionally a peak travel season.

Rising fuel prices have emerged as a principal factor discouraging domestic tourism to the northern highland destination, according to city officials. The elevated transportation costs have compounded existing economic challenges facing Filipino households, reducing discretionary spending on holiday travel.

Baguio, situated approximately 250 kilometers north of Manila, typically attracts thousands of visitors during the Undas period as families travel to pay respects at local cemeteries and engage in recreational activities. The recent downturn reflects broader trends affecting domestic tourism across the Philippines as consumers contend with inflationary pressures.