The number of tourist arrivals in Aurora, a city in Colorado, US, reached over 650,000 in the first half of this year, an indication that it is on its way to recovery from Covid-19 pandemic.

According to Aurora Tourism Office, a total of 653,054 tourists visited the third largest city in Colorado, in the United States, from January to June, indicating that the tourism industry is firmly on its way to recovery from the impact of Covid-19 pandemic.

According to a press release, the top tourist destinations in the city include the towns of Dipaculao, Baler, Dingalan, and Maria Aurora. Supervising Tourism Operations Officer Chriselle May Yambao says that the Department of Tourism in Central Luzon is in the process of rebranding Aurora to include dive, surfing, trekking and wellness sites to attract more tourists.

“This is a very unique type of product development wherein we pair up activities and not only concentrate on only one activity. Aurora is very rich in natural resources with its mountains and seas,” says Yambao.

So far, she said, among the selected dive sites in the province for free diving are the Barangay Dibutunan Marine Protected Area (MPA), Digisit MPA, and Dicasalarin.

Yambao adds that other dive sites will also be opened once the local government unit (LGU) guidelines have been set. Locals will also be trained and certified as freediving guides to ensure the safety of divers visiting the province.

In terms of wellness activities, Yambao says Aurora is an ideal place for meditation and yoga because of its beautiful natural scenery.

“We are hoping that this is going to be alternative activities in Aurora, aside from surfing which the province is known for,” she adds.