Baguio tourism badly affected by COVID-19

Tourism in Baguio City has greatly suffered amid the threat of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the Philippines.

According to a Stand for Truth report on Wednesday, as early as January, many tourists have not gone up to Baguio due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

The virus took its toll mostly on the transient businesses with lessors losing up to P20,000 per day due to booking cancellations.

"When we look for tenants, nahirapan kami. Some of them kinkabahan na umakyat, wala kaming na reserve," Joshua Dayrit, a transient lessor in Baguio said.

"I think there's two weekends na wala kaming nakuha and that was bad for the business talaga," he added.

However, despite the outbreak, some tourists still visit the city because of its cold climate.

According to the Department of Health, going to public gatherings is safe as long as precautionary measures are followed.

Meanwhile, Baguio City is already preparing for its month-long celebration of the Panagbenga Festival, which is held every February but rescheduled to March due to the COVID-19.

Almost two million tourists join in the annual celebration in the Summer Capital of the Philippines. — Ma. Angelica Garcia/BAP, GMA News