The provincial government of Bohol expects the number of tourists visiting Central Visayas to reach up to 2.2 million by 2020, following the opening of the Bohol-Panglao International Airport (BPIA) on Tuesday.
Bohol Provincial administrator Alfonso R. Damalerio II told reporters that about 1.3 million tourists—both local and foreign—have, so far, visited their province this year.
“So we’re looking at a double [number of] arrivals in terms of the [airport] capacity,” he told reporters in an interview prior to BPIA’s official inauguration led by no-less than President Duterte and other government officials.
“It will boost and even advance Bohol to become a gateway because it will open a lot of regional flights,” he added.
The provincial officer noted that their province was one of the destinations where thousands of tourists were diverted earlier this year, when Boracay was closed in April on orders of President Duterte, due to environmental degradation.
While he did not disclose exact figures, he said that “we can feel the increase of tourist arrivals.”
Damalerio II, however, conceded that the tourism volume “partly” declined when the world-famous island reopened last month.
He said that this is because there are those who want to go to Boracay to experience it after the six-month closure for rehabilitation.
“That will be good for the entire country, because the more destinations, the more opportunities for people to visit,” said the Bohol provincial administrator while pointing out that they are not threatened by the reopening of Boracay.
With the BPIA’s inaugural, he expects that it will also boost tourism in the province since its capacity will increase “potential number of flights.”
“We have our own niche. Bohol is an eco-tourism destination. So we have a lot of destinations to offer,” he added.
Bohol, particularly Panglao, is among the fastest-growing tourist destinations in the country, on the back of its beaches and diving spots, among other offerings.
“[Tourists] can experience so many things in Bohol going to Chocolate Hills, the man-made forest, [among others]. They can do kayaking, adventures and, maybe, island hopping, dolphin watching, go to the beach, [or] visit our Spanish [era-old] churches,” Damalerio II said.
Called the Green Gateway to the World, BPIA will replace the Tagbilaran Airport that was placed under preventive maintenance, repair and patching work because of degradation brought about by continuing rain.
The P8.9-billion airport boasts of green and sustainable structures, including solar panels and motion-sensor lighting, among other features. It can accommodate seven aircraft at one time
The country’s first eco-airport seats on a 220-hectare site on Panglao Island—10 times bigger than the old airport with a 22-hectare land area only.
It can hold up to 650 passengers during peak hours and is expected to accommodate over 2 million passengers in the first year of operation.