The Department of Tourism (DOT) in the Ilocos Region is focusing on infrastructure developments to attract more tourists to stay longer.

DOT-Ilocos Region director Joseph Francisco Ortega said the agency is implementing the Tourism Road Infrastructure Project (TRIP) with the Department of Public Works and Highways.

DOT-Ilocos data show that over PHP1 billion worth of road projects have been included under the TRIP since 2022, according to Ortega during the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas forum in San Fernando City, La Union on Tuesday.

Of the total amount, PHP337.4 million were allocated for Ilocos Norte, PHP110 million for Ilocos Sur, PHP200 million for La Union and PHP360 million for Pangasinan.

Six projects have been completed and 16 are ongoing in Ilocos Norte, while five have been completed and five are ongoing in Ilocos Sur.

La Union has four completed projects and 10 ongoing projects under TRIP; while Pangasinan has 12 completed and 16 ongoing projects.

Another infrastructure project in the region is the Tourist Rest Area (TRA) such as the one in Barangay Saud, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte.

Ortega said the proposal to construct rest areas in Lingayen, Pangasinan, in Ilocos Sur, and La Union have been submitted for approval of the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority.

The TRA is a convergence point that foreign and local travelers could approach to get information on tourism sites and attractions, activities, accommodations; reporting concerns related to safety and security; and gaining access to other provisions necessary during their stay at a destination, such as a clean restroom.

The top five destinations in the Ilocos Region for overnight travelers are San Juan in La Union, Bolinao in Pangasinan, Pagudpud in Ilocos Norte, and Dasol and San Fabian, also in Pangasinan, DOT’s 2023 data show.

Ortega said establishment of more tourism facilities as well as local attractions and activities will entice tourists to lengthen their stay.

“The facilities should be very good since tourists tend to look for good hotels and facilities where the area is safe,” he said in Filipino.

Ortega said they have been coordinating with the local government units and the hotel or home-stay owners to improve their facilities.

There are 1,752 accommodation establishments in the entire region with 17,012 available rooms, with 9,775 employees or tourism workers.

In 2023, DOT recorded 14.5 million daytime tourists in the Ilocos Region and 1.8 million overnight guests. (PNA)