In a remarkable recovery, Pangasinan’s tourism sector has bounced back to its pre-COVID-19 levels in 2024, attracting a total of 8.7 million day visitors and 430,983 overnight guests throughout the year. The province saw its highest influx of tourists during the summer months and December, with the latter month alone drawing in 1.3 million visitors, closely followed by May with 900,000 arrivals.
Maria Luisa Amor-Elduayan, the head of the Pangasinan Provincial Tourism and Cultural Office, highlighted the province’s success in an interview, noting that the numbers have now matched the bustling tourism figures seen before the global health crisis. She remarked on the consistent growth in tourism that Pangasinan enjoyed prior to 2019.
Key attractions that pulled in the crowds included the spiritual hub of Manaoag, where the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag welcomed 5.78 million visitors, marking an 11 percent increase from previous years. The basilica itself was visited by 5.73 million of these pilgrims. Other notable sites in Manaoag, such as Virgin’s Well, Amber’s Paradise, One Alo Resort, and Baba’s Eco Farm, also saw significant visitor numbers.
Bolinao, another popular destination, reported a 17 percent rise in tourism, with a total of 744,430 visitors, split between 511,846 day visitors and 232,584 overnight stays. The town’s allure lies in its natural attractions like beaches, waterfalls, caves, and rock formations, with April being the busiest month.
Lingayen and Alaminos City, along with the coastal regions of Western Pangasinan, also contributed to the province’s tourism boom. However, the Hundred Islands National Park in Alaminos experienced a 12 percent decline in visitor numbers due to weather issues since September. To counteract this, new developments including a chapel, museum, and retreat hall on Ramos Island are slated to open soon, aiming to rejuvenate interest in the park.
The majority of tourists hailed from nearby regions such as Ilocos, Central Luzon, Metro Manila, Calabarzon, and the Cordillera Autonomous Region. Elduayan attributed the successful recovery to enhanced data collection and the support of local government units in tourism planning and marketing efforts.