ILOILO – Tourism in the 5th District town of Carles is booming as arrivals increased in the first quarter of this year.
Based on data from the Municipal Tourism Office (MTO), there were 21,409 tourist arrivals in Carles from January to March of this year. This is higher compared to the 15,887 tourist arrivals in the same period in 2023.
The two main tourist attractions in the town are the Gigantes and Sicogon, both in the same group of islands.
Sicogon Island consists of the barangays (villages) of San Fernando, Lipata, and Buaya.
Meanwhile, Islas de Gigantes is an island chain of about 10 islands; the two largest are Gigantes Norte (North Gigantes) and Gigantes Sur (South Gigantes).
Among its minor islets are Bulubadiang, Gigantillo, and Gigantuna southeast of Gigantes Norte, and Antonia, Bantigui, Cabugao, Tanguingui, and Turnina south of Gigantes Sur.
The Gigantes group of islands boasts white-sand beaches, sand bars, and pristine waters. One of its more popular points of interest is a saltwater lagoon called Tangke located within Gigantes Sur, surrounded by cliffs.
Tourism officer Engr. Tresha Lyn Lozañes of Carles, in an interview with Radyo Pilipinas, said the long holiday over the Holy Week is the main contributor to the town’s tourism.
MTO data particularly showed that on March 28, Carles welcomed 1,045 tourists; March 29 – 794; March 30 – 957; and March 3 – 392.
This April, an average of 600 tourists per day is reported as the summer season begins./PN
