“HINAY-HINAY apan kanunay (Slowly but surely)” was how Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado described Bohol Province’s tourism industry.
Aumentado, the newly appointed chairman of the Regional Development Council Central Visayas, told members of the media on Monday, November 21, 2022, that the number of tourist arrivals in the province is almost back to pre-pandemic levels.
“We hope more tourists will arrive in the months to come. Our tourism industry is slowly making a recovery after lockdowns were imposed to stop the spread of the coronavirus pandemic and the devastation wrought by typhoon Odette last December,” he said in Bisaya.
The governor said he and several provincial officials recently went to South Korea to promote the province as a potential travel destination.
As a result, he said, Bohol can expect 10,000 South Koreans to visit the island starting in December up to February 2023.
“They (South Koreans) will be visiting Bohol, Cebu Province and other places in Central Visayas where they plan to enjoy themselves,” he said in Bisaya.
He assured that the foreign visitors will be well taken care of when they start arriving next month.
Meanwhile, Aumentado said that among their planned projects and programs are the additional international flights to Bohol so foreign travelers can fly directly to the island.
The Bohol-Panglao International Airport currently has three international flights every week.
He said they are also trying to increase sea travel to Bohol as only one firm sails to the province.
“Mag-imbitar mi og dugang mga ferries nga maka-cater og daghang turista pa (We will invite more firms to cater to more tourists),” he said.
Bohol Province is known nationwide for its white-sand beaches, the Chocolate Hills and the tarsier, considered the world’s smallest primate.
Home to various historical treasures, Bohol also boasts a rich cultural heritage. (BBT/PJB)