Manaoag town, known among Catholic devotees for its Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Rosary of Manaoag, has recorded an 11 percent jump in tourist arrivals in 2024 to 5.78 million from year-ago’s 5.2 million.

Tourism office data show that around 5.73 million visited the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Rosary of Manaoag alone.

Other attractions include the Virgin’s Well in the village of Purago with 23,098 visitors; Amber’s Paradise, a hotel resort, 20,651; One Alo Resort, 8,011; and Baba’s Eco Farm, 786.

The tourism office also offers a tour of the sampaguita farm in Barangay Baritao on schedule.

The less than one-hectare farm with around 10-25 Sampaguita farmers who are also the ones making the garlands, can be a side trip before visiting the Minor Basilica.

Faith tourism or pilgrim tourism is prominent in the town as the other tourist destinations are still related to the Our Lady of Rosary.

Municipal tourism operations officer Brendon Natividad, in an interview Monday, said they gained more visitors during the long weekends, the Christmas break, and during the Galicayo Festival in December.

Tourism office data show 623,616 tourists visited the town in May or during school break.

“To further ensure security of tourist, closed circuit television cameras will be installed this year in various locations especially around the church area,” Natividad said.

Natividad added that a traffic code is being crafted by the town’s Council to help address congestions especially during peak seasons. (PNA)