The lowering of Covid-19 Alert Levels in most parts of the Philippines is undoubtedly the green light wanderlusts have been waiting for to resume their jetsetting lifestyles before the pandemic struck.
Among the top tourist destinations which has been eagerly awaiting the return of visitors over the past two years is the Bicol region. Situated just a few hours drive south of the Metro, many localities cautiously reopened its tourism in late 2020 to revive the industry after putting health and safety protocols in place.
Just recently, the Department of Tourism launched the “Exciting Restart” to officially reboot tourism and the economic activities related to it. Patterned after its “Exciting Bicol” branding, the campaign aims to lure back visitors with its natural wonders, recreational adventures and newly-opened eco-themed destinations which are considered low-risk because of open spaces and adherence to physical distancing.
Legazpi City, the regional center announced its formal reopening with the recent staging of the fourth Oz Goose National Championships which saw over a hundred sailors taking part in a sporting event which also launched Bicol as a new haven for sailing.
With the new sport, the city boulevard is expected to be a mecca for watersports and outdoor recreation, especially with the newly-developed Sawangan Park.
A Unesco as a Man and Biosphere Reserve, Albay is reinventing itself as the region’s hub of farm tourism with its bevy of agrarian-themed establishments around the iconic Mayon Volcano.
Among the farm-themed restaurants and boutique lodgings are Aguas Farm and Mirisbiris Garden and Nature Center in Sto. Domingo, Sumlang Lake, Solong Eco-Park and El Miro De Shei Integrated Farm in Camalig, Farm Plate in Daraga, and Gamboa’s Orchard in Malilipot. With Instagrammable premises and good food to boot, these establishments have become Internet sensations as well.
Fresh from the successful run of a GMA teleserye shot in the province, Sorsogon also announced its reopening with the redevelopment of its top attraction, the Bulusan Volcano Natural Park. Tucked in a lush tropical rainforest, the project built an eco-tourism center and eco-adventour facilities so visitors can better enjoy the park’s centerpiece—the 16-hectare Bulusan Lake which can be navigated aboard a boat.
Donsol town also announced the resumption of the butanding interaction where guests can see a whale shark, the world’s biggest fish, up close. Meanwhile, surfers are beginning to troop back and ride the waves again in Gubat, the province’s surfing hot spot.
In recent months, scuba divers plunged into the depths of the sea to check out the viability of introducing diving as a watersport in several coastal towns.
For a glimpse of its rich heritage, swing by Museo Sorsogon, the restored old provincial jail situated at the Provincial Capitol Complex which was also spruced up during the lull.
Camarines Sur is also emerging as a hive for farm tourism with the development of agrarian-themed resorts and day tour destinations at the fringes of Naga City. Among these are Sonrisa Farm in Magarao, a garden wedding place and a government-accredited farm school, and MikeLiz Integrated Farm in Calabanga, a dragonfruit plantation which also now hosts an animal farm, a country-style resort, and a venue for small events.
At the bosom of Mount Isarog at 519 meters above sea level is the village of Consocep in Tigaon town, regarded as Bicol’s “summer capital” with its cool climate and the magnificent view of mountains, sea and lake.
The best spot to gaze at this panorama, feel the cool breeze and sip a hot tablea chocolate is Hibiscus Camp, an upland garden with swimming pools, view decks, picnic huts, bonfire and camping grounds, a mountain chapel, and a quaint barn house for overnight stays.
Adventure lovers can hie off to the old time favorites—CamSur Watersports Complex and Caramoan beaches, or rediscover the white-sand beaches in the Partido district which have become accessible with the road improvements.
Masbate and Catanduanes are also beckoning travelers who want a more laid-back and close-to-nature type of journey. These island provinces boast some of the most underrated, but equally-beautiful beaches and idyllic islands coupled with amazing rugged landscapes.
The former boasts of the Manta Bowl dive site in Ticao Island, while the latter is a Pacific surfing spot with the so-called Majestics, known for its barreling waves in Baras town.
Last but not least, Camarines Norte has also rebooted its local tourism and is expecting the influx of beach bums who will troop to Calaguas Islands, once voted as the country’s top Tourism Gem, and other powdery coastal areas and islands in Panganiban, Capalonga, Mercedes, Vinzons and Paracale towns.
With the excitement of the restart of Bicol’s tourism, footloose travelers can only look forward to more enticing experiences in an exciting region.
Image credits: John Gochenouer, Bernard Supetran, Roy Cirera
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The article was originally published in Business Mirror and written by Bernard L. Supetran.
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