Surf's up in La Union

Surfing has given La Union a boost in terms of tourist arrivals.

According to data from Region 1 (Ilocos region) of the Department of Tourism, La Union tourist arrivals in the first half of the year grew 35 percent to 45,678, from 33,882 in the same period in 2009.

In an interview with the BusinessMirror, DOT regional director Martin Valera noted the growing number of surfing enthusiasts such that every weekend, about 300 surfers go to La Union to engage in the activity. This includes foreign students from the Manila-based International School, the British School and Brent School. (Read the rest in BusinessMirror, Sept. 27, 2010)