MANILA - Traveling to Sagada? Make sure you register, get a guide, ditch disposable water bottles, use local transport, and avoid haggling over the price of your hotel rooms.

The local government of Sagada has imposed new rules to control the number of visitors and impose discipline on tourists trekking the favorite highland destination amid the expected rush of hikers in the coming holidays.

"We would like to advise the public of our tourism regulations in Sagada during long weekends, holidays and [the] peak season," the Sagada municipal government said in a Facebook post Friday.

"These rules are in line with the ongoing process of making Sagada a responsible tourism destination," the statement read.

Sagada is a popular destination for hiking and spelunking in Mountain Province.

It imposed new tourism rules as nearby Baguio City continued to suffer from traffic standstills and gridlocks due to the deluge of visitors travelling to the so-called summer capital.

The following are the town's new regulations:

TOURS

1. Tours in and around Sagada must only be run by the local guides' organizations (SEGA, SAGGAS,SETGO, KIGA, ASSETG and BFTAMPGA for Northern Sagada).
2. Travel agencies, groups, and individuals must register for the tours at the Tourist Information Office.
3. There will be a limited number of tourists allowed per site per day, so make sure you book your tours earlier.
4. All tours require a guide. Tourists who do not have a guide will not be able to enter the site.

TRANSPORTATION AND TRAFFIC

1. Only local transport shall be allowed to ferry tours to tourist sites so as not to create traffic in tourist destinations.
2. All tourist vehicles are required to park throughout the duration of their stay in their hotel parking area or in pay parking areas. Tourists must use local transport to visit different sites in town.
3. Tourists are obliged to walk around town to visit shops, restaurants and nearby tourist spots.

ACCOMMODATION

1. Only hostels, inns and homestays under the Sagada Inns and Hotels Association (SIHA) registered with the local government and accredited by the Department of Tourism will be allowed to accommodate tourists.
2. There shall be no haggling of fees or appeals for free beds. Follow standard prices for accommodations.

WASTE MANAGEMENT

1. Bring your own refillable water tumblers. Disposable water bottles are not allowed.
2. Throw your garbage at designated disposal areas.
3. Travel agencies/tour groups must bring out their garbage upon leaving Sagada.