More local and foreign tourists are visiting Ilocos Norte, securing its spot as one of the premier tourism destinations in the country.

Tourist arrival data released on Thursday show that the province welcomed nearly 342,000 visitors during the Holy Week, Xavier Ruiz, officer-in-charge of the Ilocos Norte Tourism, said in a statement.

“This marks a 5 percent increase from the same period in 2023 and a significant 48 percent jump compared to 2022, further exceeding pre-pandemic levels,” he said.

Day visitor arrivals, measured based on attractions, saw an increase to 341,953 while the peak day was on March 29 or Good Friday, with 84,824 visitors.

Topping the list of the province’s most visited attractions include the UNESCO-world heritage site of St. Augustine Church in Paoay town, Bangui windmills, La Milagrosa Chapel and Saint John the Baptist Basilica in Badoc, Madonna Dam in Dingras, Cape Bojeador Lighthouse and Kapurpurawan White Rocks Formation in Burgos, White sand beach of Pagudpud and the century-old Santa Monica Church in Sarrat town.

With more flights to the province, air travel also increased by more than 75 percent.

Due to numerous activities during the holiday season, Ruiz said it took them a while to collect tourism data from stakeholders.

“This data highlights the sustained growth of Ilocos Norte’s tourism sector, solidifying its position as a premiere destination in the Philippines,” Ruiz said.

For this year, the Ilocos Norte Tourism Office is targeting at least a 10 percent increase in tourism arrivals from last year’s 3.6 million tourist arrivals. (PNA)