Missing Sagada? Tourists may be able to visit again soon

Missing the cool weather and charming sights of Sagada? Heads up: this Mt. Province town may soon open its doors to visitors again.

Sagada’s Municipal Tourism office announced the launch of Umali Kayo, the town’s online tourist registration portal, where visitors will need to register before making plans to visit the area.

“Umali kayo” is a local expression that translates to “Welcome.”

Sagada remains closed to tourists, but the municipal tourism office has released the following guidelines in advance for guests making plans to visit their community:

1. A negative RT-PCR test taken 72 hours before arrival
2. Vaccination card indicating the tourist has been fully vaccinated
3. Umali Kayo tourism portal registration, as confirmed by the municipal tourism office
4. A minimum 1-night stay in Sagada in a DOT-accredited and LGU-certified accommodation establishment
5. Confirmed tourists must travel in a private or personal vehicle

While Umali Kayo is not accepting registrations yet, tourists who sign up on their tourism portal must wait for their registration to be approved by their office once the local government officially reopens to tourism, Sagada’s tourism office said.

Additional guidelines will be provided upon the official announcement of reopening.

Loved by backpackers for its nature-filled sights, Sagada rose to popularity as a tourist destination after being featured in the 2014 Antoinette Jadaone-directed hit “That Thing Called Tadhana,” starring Angelica Panganiban and JM de Guzman.

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