LU TOURISM REOPENS; RE-ORIENTATION WITH STAKEHOLDERS HELD
By: Joy Ann L. Gurtiza, GPC-LUPTO | Photos By: GPC-LUPTO | Date: May 21, 2021
Guidelines, protocols, and requirements for tourism reopening were discussed during the re-orientation and dialogue with the Local Government Units (LGUs) and industry stakeholders of La Union on May 21, 2021 via video conferencing. Salient provisions of Sangguniang Panlalawigan Ordinance No. 289-2021 imposing mandatory compliance with the minimum public health standards and institutionalizing registration to the NAPANAM System were also clarified.
The Provincial Government of La Union through the La Union Provincial Tourism Office (LUPTO) – Tourism Planning, Research and Information Management Section conducted a re-orientation and dialogue with industry stakeholders on May 21, 2021 via video conferencing.
The online meeting was attended by representatives from the Department of Tourism (DOT) – Region 1; Provincial Disaster and Risk-Reduction Management Office; LGUs; and various tourism organizations such as La Union Alliance for Tour and Travel Agencies; La Union Hotel Resort and Restaurant Association; San Juan Resort Restaurant and Hotel Association; Association of Active Tour Guides in La Union; Association of Tourism Industries and Networks in La Union; La Union Conventions and Visitors Bureau; and other tourism-related establishments in the province.
LUPTO Officer-in-Charge Arthur S. Cortez, Jr. emphasized the importance of everyone’s compliance with tourism guidelines as the province is trying to safely and gradually reopen. LUPTO Administrative Officer V Julius A. Manabat discussed the tourism guidelines and protocols as well as additional requirements for tourism reopening and clarified that vaccination card is not an alternative for negative RT-PCR result for tourists. Senior Tourism Operations Officer, Hanzel D. Guerrero, Jr. meanwhile presented the salient provisions of Sangguniang Panlalawigan Ordinance No. 289-2021 which is imposing mandatory compliance with the minimum public health standards in the province of La Union, institutionalizing registration of the NAPANAM System of all individuals and establishments as scanning points, and prescribing penalties for violations of the said ordinance.
Issues and concerns of stakeholders were raised during the open forum. They committed to adapt to the evolving needs and requirements essential to the reopening. LGUs committed to keep their tourism sites and attractions compliant to the Public Health Standards. Hotels/ Accommodations Operators requested to lower the administrative fees charged by travel and tour companies and recommended to create fees based on the classification of accommodations. With this, LUATTA and the accommodation establishments agreed to schedule another meeting for them to further finalize their business rates.
The province officially reopened its borders on May 22, 2021 to leisure travelers from Luzon residents. This is in accordance with the Executive Order 27 of the province issued by Gov. Francisco Emmanuel “Pacoy” R. Ortega III lifting the restriction on border entry for tourists.
As the province continues to slowly ease travel with health and safety protocols in place, PGLU is hopeful that visitor arrivals to the province will make its steady climb to reach pre-pandemic figures.
