Benguet: As the province intensifies its tourism industry, local government units and private stakeholders are working side-by-side to enhance visitor experience and boost community livelihoods by promoting Benguet’s natural beauty, agriculture, and culture.
According to Philippines News Agency, Lany Ganayan, owner of Northern Blossom flower farm in Atok town and vice chairperson of the Benguet Provincial Tourism Council, emphasized that the private sector is taking the lead in developing sites and services, while calling on government support for capacity building.
Ganayan highlighted the importance of the private sector providing exemplary service, as they represent Benguet. During a recent training session, he stressed the need for benchmarking and learning from other tourist experiences to improve local practices. Initially, Atok residents resisted tourism due to its complications but later embraced it upon witnessing the economic benefits.
The influx of visitors at Northern Blossom has spurred the opening of restaurants, coffee shops, souvenir stores, transient houses, and other small businesses. Community tour guides, many of whom are students working part-time, have been trained not only in communication skills but also in photography and videography to better assist guests. Atok has seen an increase in homestays from 11 during the pandemic to more than 33.
Tourist attractions in Atok have expanded from just three sites to 11, including Northern Blossom, Highest Point, Mount Timbac, Hidden Garden, Sakura Park at Haight’s Place, Lourdes Grotto, Atok Adventures, and Spanish Trail. Tourist arrivals in Atok now range from 300 to 500 daily during the low season, peaking at 2,000 to 3,000 during holidays and long weekends. Atok’s popularity, recognized by the Tourism Association of the Philippines, now rivals Itogon’s peaks and other hiking destinations.
Ganayan emphasized that while the private sector should not overly depend on government, it expects support in terms of access roads and training. Northern Blossom alone employs about 40 regular workers and 60 part-time guides. Governor Melchor Diclas acknowledged the boom in Atok’s tourism, noting that limited accommodations have prompted new ventures like outdoor camping.
Vice Governor Mary Rose Kepes added that the growth of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) complements tourism. She stated that the province has at least 41,237 MSMEs based on the 2024 records, which include 7,210 new businesses. Kepes pointed out that MSMEs and the tourism industry support one another, with tourists being a key market for these enterprises.