Good luck, tourists.

February is love month, they say.

Nah, February is more amazing because of PANAGBENGA FESTIVAL! 

Tourists come and go, I know because the traffic in town is not likely the traffic during regular days in the City.

I see buses of tourists and students coming from different parts of the country, roaming around to see what Baguio could offer. 

Now, Burnham Park is, by all means, crowded just like every approach of the month of February. 

The increasing trend of tourist arrivals is inevitable especially this month because according to surveys, Baguio City remains to be one of the top 15 favorite destinations of both local and foreign tourists in the country.

The staff of City Tourism Office of Baguio are not able to provide statistics of tourist arrivals because it is still not the "peak season" of tourist visits.

However, the National Statistical Coordination Board of Cordillera Administrative Region posted the statistical data of arrivals of tourists in the city last 2012. 

Also, news stories from the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) reveals the state of tourism arrivals last year, and it can be inferred that there is really relatively high number of tourists that come to Baguio every February.

PO2 Anabelle Macli-ing of the Tourist Police Unit in Burnham Park said that people from Baguio should expect tourist arrivals on the third week of the month. 

When asked about the state of their business, Noel Salonga, one of the owners of the Salonga bike rentals said that there are more tourists last year compared now.

"Mas malakas kita namin last year. Ngayon gutom kami," he said.

In accordance to what Joel Maruyong said, that last year, even in the first two weeks of the month, there are many tourists in the city. 

He said that boat rentals are low, but then he is still expecting that more tourists will visit he City next week.

In relation to the approaching festival, reports show that the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) will double its forces for a better traffic management scheme. 

BCPO's traffic plan is now being implemented. 

The tourism industry of Baguio was never low.

The summer capital has always been one of the most visited places in the country because of the cool air and the many places that the city could offer to tourists.

Here's the schedule of activities for Panagbenga, by the way.

Friendly reminders:

1. Make your hotel/transient/inn reservations now, or as early as possible because Baguio will be full-packed with other people from other places again.

2. Better to be driving your own cars.

3. Bring jackets and comforters. (Because you could just park your car on the side of the road and sleep inside, you know, typical tourist whatnot)

4. Plan your trip ahead of time. HAVE YOUR ITINERARY READY.

5. Expect water shortage, okay?

Good luck, tourists.