ENHANCING TOURISM. Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph Manotoc as he speaks in front of the Filipino-Chinese community at the Chinese Garden in Paoay, Ilocos Norte on Friday (June 10, 2022). The garden is being improved to encourage more tourists to the area.(PNA photo by Leilanie Adriano) LAOAG CITY -As coronavirus cases have been significantly low in this northern gateway of Luzon, Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph Manotoc is hoping to welcome once again the pack of Chinese tourists that visit the province. While joining the Chinese and Filipino business community in a tree planting activity at the Chinese Garden located near the Malacanang of the North on Friday afternoon, Manotoc expressed hopes that the regular China flights to Laoag will be back soon. In pre-pandemic times, Chinese nationals used to dominate Ilocos Norte's foreign tourist arrivals based on records of the Ilocos Norte Tourism Office (INTO). Some of them arrived via chartered flights from Guangzhou, China,
INFLATABLE ISLAND. The inflatable island at the Paoay Lake Water Park will offer new discounted rates for visitors visiting the attraction in groups. Local officials said the newest destination in the province aims to help accelerate local tourism recovery. (Photo courtesy of Ilocos Norte Tourism) LAOAG CITY -The Ilocos Norte government is proposing to offer discounted rates to tourists visiting the Inflatable Island at the newly-opened Paoay Lake Water Park this summer. A draft provincial ordinance 2022-04-100, which was certified as urgent by Gov. Matthew Joseph Manotoc, aims to slash its existing rates to lure more tourists to the area. The provision of discounts ranging from 20 percent to 35 percent of "Play Pass" to travel agencies, operators, and corporate accounts is part of the provincial government's strategy to further promote and market the newest outdoor attraction of Ilocos Norte, provincial tourism officer Aianree Raquel said on Tuesday. Open daily from 8 a.
LA MILAGROSA COVE. Visitors enjoy the beach at the La Milagrosa Cove in Badoc, Ilocos Norte in this undated photo. Every summer, the spot is one of the most frequently visited sites in Ilocos Norte as boats for hire are also available when visitors want to experience freediving on Badoc Island, which is just a few minutes' ride from the cove in calm weather. (Ilocos Norte Tourism photo) LAOAG CITY - The province of Ilocos Norte welcomed around 700,000 day visitors over the Holy Week, the highest number so far since the start of the pandemic, according to the Ilocos Norte Tourism Office (INTO). In Pagudpud town, many resorts and homestay owners were back to regular operation, with a significant increase in tourist arrivals and bookings, particularly during the Holy Week. Nelly Cristobal, president of the Federated Hotels and Resorts of Pagudpud Inc., said Wednesday that all resorts, hotels, and homestays in Pagudpud were fully booked from April 8 to April 18. "We are so excited
REAL 'STARS.' Members of the Imalawa tribe of Vintar, Ilocos Norte attend the screening of a documentary film about them and their tribe at Robinson's Moviweworld in Laoag City on Thursday (April 8, 2022). The film is one of several entries at this year's Tan-ok ni Ilokano (Greatness of Ilokano) Film Festival. (Photo by Leilanie G. Adriano) LAOAG CITY - Ilocos Norte is taking big steps for its creative arts industry as young filmmakers took the center stage at this year's celebration of Tan-ok ni Ilokano (Greatness of Ilokano) Film Festival. Ten documentary films showcasing the province's rich culture and history started to be screened at the Cinema 4 of Robinsons Movieworld. Screenings will run daily until Sunday, April 10, from 9 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Movie tickets are free. Ilocos Norte Tourism Office (INTO) head Aianree Raquel said in a media interview Friday that the time has come for young and talented Ilocano filmmakers to show their ingenuity to the world.
TANAP-AVIS FALLS. Tourists in this undated photo enjoy the waters of Ilocos Norte's Tanap-Avis Falls, the trails to which the local government plans to develop to help tourism in the area recover. The local government said it plans to spend PHP3 million for the development project. (Photo courtesy of Tourism Ilocos Norte) LAOAG CITY - Local authorities here have decided to allocate PHP3 million to improve the access road leading to Tanap-Avis Falls in Burgos town to foster tourism growth and economic recovery amid the global pandemic. "For the comfort and safety of visitors, the trails will be enhanced including the construction of comfortable rooms as well as a [tourism] deck," Ilocos Norte Tourism Office head Aianree Raquel said in an interview on Monday. Members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan on Monday unanimously approved Draft Resolution 2022-03-482, giving Gov. Matthew Joseph Manotoc authority to enter into a tripartite agreement with the Department of Environment