THE tourism sector in Benguet's capital town La Trinidad recorded an estimated P100 million in losses due to the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.
La Trinidad Mayor Romeo Salda said the total amount is based on the report submitted by the Local Economic and Investments Promotion Office and Municipal Tourism Office.
The 250 souvenir/pasalubong shops and other stores in the town incurred P5 to P6 million estimated loss from March to May, amid the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine in view of Covid-19 threat.
Major tourism events in the town such as Strawberry Festival, Tourism Week, and other events have also incurred P5 million loss.
Officials of La Trinidad have previously ordered the cancellation of major festivals as a precautionary measure against the Covid-19 outbreak.
The mayor together with the Strawberry Festival executive committee cancelled the event supposed to take place on March, heeding to the Department of Health advisory against holding crowd-drawing activities.
The celebration seeks to showcase strawberries as the One town, One Product (OTOP) of La Trinidad, to strengthen ties between locals, visitors and to highlight the agriculture and industry.
Suffering most during the pandemic are close to 1,000 farmers incurring a loss of at least P50 million.
In addition, the 120 food and non-food products producers of strawberry jam, wine, crafts have also estimated a loss of at least P5 million while the six tourism sites recorded P3 to P3.5 million loss, three areas of pay parking losing P2.5 to P3 million while the three accommodation establishments recorded around P4 to P5 million total estimate loss.
Tourism-related activities for the agricultural sub-sector of the town are comprised of shopping of strawberries, vegetables and cutflower.
Various transportation sectors including taxi, tour vans and jeepneys also incurred an estimated loss of P15 million.
Around 500 to 600 businesses near tourism areas such as dining, leisure and shopping establishments recorded P10 million loss while 12 tour operators have lost at least P2 million.
The report is also pursuant to the action letter request of the National Economic and Development Authority regarding the economic losses related to tourism.
The chief executive disclosed a contingency plan by the local government is in placed with different clusters created to address concerns.
