In Baguio City, lies a sports mecca
The summer capital of the Philippines remains the top tourist
destination in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) and among the top 14
travellers choice nationwide, making it a serious economic player in the country.
The city already had the picturesque views and inviting
Cordilleran culture as its main economic driver, a strong industrial sector,
and thriving local tourism.
But city officials wanted to do something more, something
different. So they turned their attention to sports.
Mayor
Domogan affirmed during his latest State of the City Address the importance of
sporting events as one of the city’s major tourist attractions in recent years.
“The sterling
performance of the various city teams and the hosting of other recognized events are tourism
boosters for the city,” Mayor Mauricio Domogan said.
Sports
bring people together, as they say. So the city has recognized the general
impact of organizing sporting activities that provide significant economic and
employment benefits. The sports sector has a major economic impact, boosting a
growth in the local tourism industry.
New Tourism Strategy
The strategy has shifted to high gear as the
city plans to improve the sports facilities including the rehabilitation of
Athletic Bowl in order to conveniently accommodate more sports enthusiasts and
draw investors. Generally deemed for good, a funding has been approved to
rubberize the track oval and improve the bleachers of the Athletic Bowl. With
world class sports facilities in place for future events, the city is expecting
to hold national and international sports tournaments.
The
city is driving really hard on sports tourism. With the emergence of fans
wanting to be at the thick of the frenzy, the potential for growth is
considerable. Mayor Domogan said that sports sector is seen to generate profit,
not only bringing in more visitors to the city but promoting the city and
nearby areas as well.
Thriving Tourism Industry
Sports
occupy a central place within Baguio’s culture and identity based on
achievements across a wide range of sports. With the success of local based
athletes in the regional, national, and international competitions, the city
has lured other sportsmen to train in a high-altitude atmosphere as their
training ground.
The
Team Lakay fighters in the mix martial arts world, the overall championship of
Baguio in the 2014 Batang PInoy Games, the overall title of 2014 Philippine
National Games in May, among others, will attest to Baguio City’s love and
passion for the sport.
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