For twenty years, Nanay Georgina has been selling strawberries.
She sells each tub for 250 pesos, which she sources for 450 pesos from Kibungan, Benguet.
Although strawberries are one of Baguio’s known products, with the holiday season approaching, she still worries about possible losses.
Nanay Imelda sells souvenirs, Over the years, she says they’ve felt a decline in their earnings.
“Sales are slow now, not like last year, and right after the pandemic,” said Imelda Dalusong, a vendor.
They say business only picks up when tourists flock to the city.
So they are hopeful for good sales this holiday season.
According to the Department of Tourism (DOT) Cordillera, over 200,000 visitors are expected in Baguio from November to December.
This number is far lower than the 1.3 million visitors recorded in the same months of 2023.
Although the Amihan season is expected to begin, they still encourage visitors to come up to Baguio to experience December and the holiday feels in the City of Pines.
**VANESSA BUGTONG