The Philippines Department of Tourism (DOT) is focusing on promoting cultural tourism in Baguio City because such initiatives like the Ibagíw Festival will sustain the treasured traditions and art forms of the city.
The move to highlight Baguio’s cultural tourism comes as the city celebrates Ibagiw 2020, a month-long creative festival that showcases its rich and vibrant culture and history.
Baguio is more than just its natural wonders, and we want more Filipinos to rediscover what UNESCO designated as a Creative City for Crafts and Folk Arts. And initiatives like Ibagiw will help revive tourism in the region and jumpstart the local economy.
The Dot’s official visited Baguio to see Ibagiw 2020’s highlights such as its lineup of creative crawls and series of tours that showcase Baguio’s artistic and cultural heritage sites.
Meanwhile, those who want to participate in the crawl can explore Mirador Hill, a nine-hectare Jesuit property that offers breathtaking views of Baguio and Benguet’s breathtaking views.
This is followed by a trip to the BenCab Museum where works of the national artist for Visual Arts Benedicto Cabrera, other Filipino masters, and rising contemporary creatives are exhibited. Also, many other itineraries are lined up for the visiting tourists.
The DOT’s support of Baguio’s rich cultural heritage and craftsmanship in wood carving, silver craft, weaving, tattooing, and more could help support the livelihood of locals and help the city recover from the Covid-19 pandemic. Those who wish to go to Baguio after Ibagiw 2020 can still experience the creative crawl through accredited tour operators.