MANAOAG: The Municipality of Manaoag is on track to achieve a record-breaking year for tourism, with over 3.26 million visitors recorded from January to September 2023. Officials anticipate surpassing the 5.2 million tourist arrivals last year, driven by upcoming holidays and festivals.
According to Philippines News Agency, Brendon Natividad, the municipal tourism operations officer, expressed optimism about attracting even more tourists during the long weekends, Christmas break, and the Galicayo Festival in December. Data from the tourism office indicates that 623,616 tourists visited Manaoag in May, coinciding with the school break.
The town’s primary attraction, the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Rosary of Manaoag, renowned for its miraculous reputation, has drawn approximately 3.2 million visitors this year. Other notable tourist spots include the Virgin’s Well in the village of Purago, which welcomed 44,814 visitors in the first nine months of the year; Amber’s Paradise, a hotel resort with 15,518 visit
ors; One Alo Resort, attracting 7,912 visitors; and Baba’s Eco Farm, which had 433 visitors.
Natividad highlighted the prominence of faith tourism in Manaoag, with the tourism office also offering tours of the sampaguita farm in Barangay Baritao. Visitors can witness the early morning harvest of sampaguita flowers and the preparation of garlands, offering a unique experience alongside visits to the Minor Basilica.
Looking ahead, Manaoag is preparing for the Paskuhan or Christmas events and the annual Galicayo Festival in the first week of December. The Galicayo Festival is a distinct celebration of faith, culture, and arts in honor of the Our Lady of Rosary of Manaoag. Natividad expressed hope for total tourist arrivals to reach around six million by the end of the year.