La Trinidad Surpasses Pre-Pandemic Tourist Numbers with 750,000 Visitors in 2023
LA TRINIDAD, Philippines – The capital town of La Trinidad has reported a significant increase in tourist arrivals, with figures surpassing the pre-pandemic levels of 2019. The municipal tourism office recorded an estimated 750,000 tourists in 2023, marking a notable recovery and growth in its tourism sector.
According to Philippines News Agency, the municipal tourism officer, the town welcomed approximately 100,000 more visitors last year compared to the 650,000 tourists recorded in 2019. The increase is attributed partly to the overflow of tourists from the nearby city of Baguio, a popular vacation destination. In 2019, major attractions such as the Benguet State University (BSU) strawberry farms, Mt. Kalugong, Bahong Rose Gardens, Mt. Jumbo, Mt. Costa, and Stobosa Hillside Homes Artwork were the primary draws for visitors.
The pandemic period saw the emergence of new attractions, including the Living Gifts Nursery and Darjane’s Farm, which contributed to the rise in tourist numbers. Olsim highlighted the town’s efforts to promote itself as an agri-tourism and eco-tourism destination, leveraging its status as an agricultural hub and vegetable trading center for the Cordillera’s highland farm products. He noted that La Trinidad’s offerings complement the attractions in Baguio, with each location promoting unique aspects of their natural and cultural heritage.
Additionally, the annual Strawberry Festival, a highlight in the town’s calendar, has been rescheduled to March from its original February timeline to avoid clashing with other tourism events in the region. The festival, which celebrates the town’s status as the top source of strawberries from the BSU strawberry farms and other local farms, features a range of activities including a farmer’s day, strawberry lane, and a coffee competition, among others. Olsim emphasized that while the festival is a community event, tourists are warmly invited to partake in the festivities.