Potential sources of income from tourism activities presented
Potential income from environmental and vehicle congestion fees, and new tourism enterprises were presented by Supervising Tourism Officer Engr. Aloysius Mapalo during last week’s executive management committee meeting at city hall.
The presentation is from a directive from Mayor Benjamin Magalong to source out funds for the city’s programs and projects.
According to Engr. Mapalo, the arrival of 4 million tourists per year would bring a maximum potential income of P400M, from a one-time charge of P150 environmental fee per person for a five-day visit. The charge would be for tourists checking in to accommodation establishments, entry into parks, museums, galleries and attractions; and participants of organized tours and tour packages. The same amount shall be charged from attendees of conventions and other events.
A P63M maximum potential collection from vehicle congestion fee is also expected with the assumption that 120,000 vehicles per year arrive in the city. This is with the proposed fee of P200 to P1,000 per vehicle per five-day visit, and the amount may also serve as parking fee in public parking areas.
The one-time fee per entry shall be charged from private motor vehicles of visitors and tourists; provincial tourist transport vehicles not registered in the city and regional public transport without authorized terminals in Baguio, Engr. Mapalo clarified.
New tourism enterprises such as the Department of Tourism (DOT) rest area is also expected to bring in a yearly income of P1.8M to the city coffers, with a return of investment in 8 to 12 years.
The new Baguio Convention and Cultural Center (BCCC) complex including the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) tree park, parking, shops and cafes and hostel is also expected to bring in a maximum potential of yearly income of P75.67M with a return of investment in 17 to 20 years.
The estimates are from feasibility studies conducted on the venues mentioned.
Another expected tourism enterprise is the Country Club, Happy Hallow, Atok Trail, Lucnab, Outlook and Kias or the CHALOK Ecopark community. No expected income has been pegged as the enterprise has yet to undergo a feasibility study, Engr. Mapalo admitted.
The potential income studies were done with tourism arrival surveys and studies tied up with current sources of tourist expenditures, contribution to city taxes, accredited establishments’ occupancy and amusement taxes. – JGF
