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BOLINAO, Pangasinan — This coastal town in western Pangasinan recorded a significant increase in tourist arrivals in 2024, according to data from the Bolinao Tourism and Information Office.
Last year, Bolinao welcomed a total of 744,430 visitors, marking a 17-percent rise from the 635,935 recorded in 2023.
Of the total tourist arrivals, 511,846 were day tourists, while 232,584 stayed overnight.
SEA NURSERY One of the top attractions in Pangasinan is this Silaki Island in Bolinao that’s surrounded by shallow reefs that serve as sea nursery to thousands of giant clams. The nursery is maintained by the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
The majority of visitors came from the Ilocos Region, accounting for 249,175 tourists. Other key sources included Central Luzon with 84,829 visitors; the National Capital Region with 67,719; Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) with 15,359; and the Cordillera Administrative Region with 13,255. The number of foreign visitors reached 21,007.
Bolinao Falls, a cluster of three waterfalls in the village of Samang Norte, emerged as the most-visited attraction in the town, drawing 148,902 visitors throughout the year.
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Balingasay River, which features a floating restaurant, followed closely with 144,660 visitors, while the 120-year-old, 351-foot-high Cape Bolinao Lighthouse at Punta Piedra Point attracted 85,884 tourists.
Other notable destinations included the white-sand Patar Beach with 65,023 visitors; Bolinao Caves with 49,990; Camp Puor with 13,849; and River Village with 3,118.
The town is also home to the 17th-century St. James the Great Church and the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute's giant clam sea nursery, located in a shallow reef off Silaki Island.
April was recorded as the peak month for tourist arrivals, with an influx of approximately 121,411 visitors.
Local officials credit the increase in tourism to improved infrastructure, aggressive promotional efforts and the town's diverse natural attractions.
They are optimistic that the upward trend will continue, boosting the local economy and supporting businesses reliant on the tourism sector.
In November, Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco led the groundbreaking ceremony for the "Legacy of the Sea" project on Silaki Island.
The initiative aims to transform the island into a premier tourist destination, reinforcing its reputation as the giant clam capital of the Philippines.
In September, Sen. Imee Marcos spearheaded the groundbreaking of a P1.95-billion bridge project connecting Santiago Island to mainland Bolinao.
Santiago Island, located in the northwesternmost tip of Pangasinan, is composed of the villages of Victory, Pilar, Salud, Goyoden, Lucero, Binabalian and the island village of Dewey.
Mayor Alfonso Celeste said that upon completion, the bridge will position Santiago Island as a key investment hub for business, ecotourism, aquaculture, cottage industries and salt production.
An airport funded by the provincial government is currently under construction, further enhancing the town's accessibility and tourism potential.
