Bauko, Mt. Province – Officials here expressed confidence that the re-opening of the Mount Data Hotel will give more boost to the tourism industry of this town and province.
Mayor Abraham Akilit in a message during the program said “I am a believer in the contribution of tourism to the economy and with Mt. Data Hotel operating, it will boost Bauko, Mt. Province tourism, job opportunity and foster economic growth.”
Mt. Data Hotel was built by the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) in the 1960s. Thru the request of the Mayor Akilit and Congressman Maximo Dalog Jr., the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) allotted P39.9 million for the rehabilitation of the historic facility.
Akilit expressed gratitude to the TIEZA for giving priority to the rehabilitation that started in January 2020.
Jose Tumbali, provincial administrator of Mountain Province in a message also during the program said “we commit that the officials and the community will assure the peace and safety in this place.
TIEZA chief operating officer Mark Lapid in a press conference “may this be the start of sustainable tourism in Mountain Province.
He added that the TIEZA’s project in Mt. Data will continue with more activities and structures to make it a family-oriented facility.
“We will put infrastructures for adventure, camping and we hope to make this a haven for bikers which will be part of a loop tourism that covers Benguet, Mountain Province, Ifugao, and Ilocos as well as Region 2,” Lapid added. Dave Leprozo
Department of Tourism Cordillera director Jovita Ganongan during the event said that while developing new tourism products, they are also improving old ones.
She said that they will work with the hotel to assure that aside from the overall appeal of the facility, the whole experience in Mt. Data will also be complete.