Baguio City features a number of businesses catering to the locals and tourists alike. There are different types of businesses that you can find across the city, especially with its status as the country’s Summer Capital.
Agriculture Industry
Agriculture continues to be the chief industry in Baguio City despite its economy leaning more towards tourism. Farmers cultivate flowers, coffee, rice, and various kinds of fruits and vegetables.
These agricultural products can be purchased in the market, agri-fairs, and other venues across the city. During major events such as the Panagbenga Festival, these agricultural produce are also sold and/or used as decoration.
The city is also known for its strawberry and ube jams, cashew and peanut brittle, and other delicious preserves and treats. You can also buy a variety of rice wines.
Tourism and Pasalubong Industry
Tourism is a major industry that fills the coffers of Baguio City. Many of the popular attractions are owned and maintained by the city but you might have to pay a reasonable entrance fee or relevant fees. There are also quite a number of private attractions that also prove to be popular among tourists and locals.
Of course, when tourism drives the city’s economy, it is but natural that you’ll find a wide range of pasalubong and souvenir items to buy across Baguio. Many of these items have relevance to the other industries of the city and offer tourists with an authentic part of what Baguio really is.
Rich in culture and heritage, Baguio’s ethnic groups are among the best weavers in the country. You’ll find handwoven products such as bags, textiles, clothes, and various items bearing ethnic designs.
Mining is also quite important in the city, with it being the country’s largest gold source. Couple that with the innate craftsmanship of its people and you get exquisite pieces of jewelry that could easily compete with the ones sold in malls and boutiques across the country. In fact, some local suppliers actually have stalls in some shopping centers.
There are also plenty of wood carvings and sculptures sold as pasalubong and furniture in various shops in the Baguio. Many of these have ethnic inspirations but modern sculptures and some erotic art can also be found.
By Nasa Dulo ng Dila (Flickr) [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Its status as a major tourist destination could only mean one other thing: the need for excellent establishments in the hospitality industry. Baguio strives to cater to the needs of travelers by offering a wide range of choices to fit their budget. Thus, there are student boarding houses, transient homes, pension houses, hotels, resorts, and apartments for you to book, depending on your budget and needs.
An assortment of dining options delights your palate with a wide range of food, from local delicacies to national favorites to international cuisine. The foods are truly delicious, especially because the main ingredients are locally cultivated and are of the best and freshest quality. Several major fast-food chains, pastry shops, cafés, and bakeries are also available.
As you can see, Baguio has a rich heritage and great assortment of businesses to ensure that you get to enjoy the best vacation anytime of the year. A trip to the City of Pines is never complete without sampling the local delicacies and bringing home some pasalubongs or souvenirs.