BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya (PIA) — The number of local and foreign tourists who visited the province of Nueva Vizcaya from 2022 to 2023 has increased by 87 percent, pushing it to recover fast from the post-COVID 19 pandemic periods.

In a report, the Provincial Tourism Office said there is an unprecedented increase in daytime visitors from 222,401 in 2022 to 416,355 in 2023.

The improved day visitor statistics report was gathered from local tourism offices, tourist site managers, and tourism officers of the 15 towns of the province. 

Marichelle Costales, provincial tourism officer, said this increase may be attributed to a stronger social media presence and national marketing strategies of the provincial government of Nueva Vizcaya aside from the fact that more and more tourist sites, activities, and tourism experiences have been discovered and opened to the public” after the pandemic period.

“This development will contribute to the economic recovery of our tourism industry and stakeholders. This is a breakthrough as far as our multi-sectoral efforts to revitalize tourism in our province are concerned,” she said.

Costales said among the most visited tourist attractions for the year 2022 include the Sky Escape 360 in Ambaguio town, the Lower Magat Ecotourism Park (LMETP) in Diadi town, and the Malico and Salacsac Pass in Santa Fe town.

Several farm tourism sites and viewpoints have also attracted local, regional, and foreign visitors. The LMETP became a consistent top tourist attraction in terms of rest and recreation, business conferences, and big group team-building activities.\\

“The overnight tourist statistics also recorded a remarkable increase of 46% compared to the previous year’s numbers,” Costales said. 

She also said the trend in ecotourism, outdoor-based tourism, food, and culinary tourism products and experiences in the province are also fast gaining popularity and demand.

"It has become a favorite attraction among the youth, young professionals as well as the senior market," Costales added.

She also said that as of the first quarter of 2024, Nueva Vizcaya is continuously gaining popularity and getting attention from the Tourism Promotions Board, the marketing arm of the Department of Tourism, when a group of social media influencers and content creators on travel,  food, lifestyle and tourism went to Nueva Vizcaya to experience its exciting nature and adventure activities. (OTB/BME/PIA NVizcaya)