THE province of Bohol has eased up on some of its protocols meant to contain the spread of Covid-19, in a bid to inject life into its moribund tourism industry.
For one, tourists are not required to quarantine for five to 14 days upon arrival. In an online news briefing for the Balik sa Bohol online sale, Bohol Gov. Arthur Yap added, tourists only have to present a “negative RT-PCR test result, with the swab taken within 72 hours to travel time; confirmed booking at a Department of Tourism (DOT)-accredited hotel, and must register at https://tourism.bohol.gov.ph. For those going on tour, a confirmed tour booking through a DOT-accredited tour operator.”
He also said, the province is now accepting RT-PCR saliva testing to lower travel costs and encourage more tourists to visit, “and we have devised a ‘bubble tourism’ system to allow greater flexibility for travel.”
While Panglao Island and the municipality of Anda are the only areas officially open for domestic tourism, Yap explained the “bubble tourism” concept will still allow tourists to “visit attractions along the way even if municipalities are not officially open.” Such itineraries will have to be booked through accredited tour operators enumerated on the Bohol province portal.
Margie Munsayac, vice president for sales and marketing of Bluewater Resorts and lead convener of the sales promotion, said 13 resorts, one adventure park, and six tour operators are participating in the sales effort. Resorts are offering as much as 70-percent discount on their room rates. Among the participating resorts are: Amorita Resort, BE Grand Bohol, Bohol Bee Farm, The Bellevue Resort, Bluewater Panglao Beach Resort, and Bohol Beach Club.
Vouchers are valid for a minimum of one year, but sellers are flexible and may extend the validity of the vouchers if needed. Would-be tourists can book thru https://traveloco.ph/balikbohol to avail of the sales promo, which will run from February 21 to March 14, 2021.
While Cebu Pacific is the partner airline for this sales promo, other airlines that are now flying to the new Panglao International Airport are Philippine Airlines and Air Asia PH.
Heritage churches repaired
Yap said the province has been hard at work in repairing or conserving many of its historical sites and heritage attractions. “Churches have been repaired with the support, funds and technical expertise from the National Historical Commission and the National Museum. Only four churches out of the 14 damaged national heritage churches remain unrepaired, but they all are scheduled for repair.”
It would be recalled that an earthquake on October 15, 2013 damaged many of Bohol’s heritage churches in the towns of Baclayon, Dauis, Dimiao, Loay, Loboc, Loon, and Maribojoc, which have been major attractions for tourists over the years.
The local government executive admitted, however, “Covid-19 derailed many of our environmental sustainability plans. Funds [had been] set aside for sewerage and septage programs. But the private sector has continued working for the sewerage concerns of Panglao, and I just participated in the exit conference with the World Bank, where our sewerage and septage projects were included for implementation. We are also working on expanding these services through our work with JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency).”
In 2019, the Inter-Agency Task Force led by Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año, and Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat expressed concern over the water pollution in Panglao Island and the continued violations of easement regulations by resorts along the popular Alona Beach. In November 2018, Cimatu had even ordered the beach closed, only for it to be reopened a few days later. The island was given six months to comply with measures issued by the task force. (See, “Violations continue on Panglao,” in the BusinessMirror, July 22, 2019.)
Image credits: Michael Edwards | Dreamstime.com
2 comments
Neck tied Boholano, scrap Rt pcr test, only follow safety health protocols, such as face mask, face shield and social distancing.
Long hard work for Bohol to revive Tourism! Best to start ASAP by eliminating ALL extra restrictions.
Or, just copy Bantayan Island, Cebu’s successful model.
Learn that Tourism will return very slowly and case numbers will only increase slightly, if at all.
Health and hope of your people will increase instantly!