GOVERNOR Aris Aumentado is optimistic that prospects for more tourists coming in Bohol from South Korea is high after his visit in the said country recently.
Tourism, like agriculture, is on top of his development agenda anchored in his pillars of governance after he assumed office in July 2022.
He told his “Takna sa Gobernador” radio program he met Dictor Maria Apo of tourism in SoKor that many companies chose Bohol for their workers to travel.
He said that in SoKor, about 1,000 companies are giving privilege to travel abroad to their workers as part of their incentives.
“Nahinabi nato si Dir. Maria Apo- Philippine Department of Tourism sa South Korea. Dako nakong kalipay na ang Bohol ang ilahang gihatagan ug dakong pag tagad kabahin sa pag promote sa atong TURISMO. Ang Bohol maoy numero uno na gipili sa mga dakong Kompanya sa Korea sama sa Health Insurance, Cosmetics Company ug uban pa. Ang Bohol maoy hagsa-anan sa ilahang Company Tour Incentives sa mga emplyado ug kapin ka libo daw na Kompanya ang mo dagsa sa atong Probinsya pohon,” the governor said in his facebook post.
For this reason, the governor urged the tourism sector to also visit SoKor to help campaign for Bohol tourism.
“Busa kamong ana-a diha sa Tourism Industry dapat ampingan nato sila. Ayaw paghunahuna ug One-Time Big-Time na income kay di na maka tabang sa industriya kung dili maka daut ni sa atong dungog. Importante na mo duyog kamo sa among tinguha sa pag lambo sa TURISMO sa PINANGGA NATONG LALAWIGAN!,” he said.
“We need more tourists,” he stressed in said program, also urging local tour operators not to take advantage while foreign tourists visit Bohol. “Bahala’g hinay, basta kanunay,” he said.
He said earlier that more tourists coming in mean more jobs and more income for the residents here working in the industry for them to recovery after the onslaught of the pandemic caused by COVID-19.
It will be recalled that Bohol joined the 33rd Philippine Travel mart recently.
“Bohol is ready and waiting for your visit,” Gov. Aris Aumentado said, addressing tourism industry stakeholders and inviting travel enthusiasts at the Central Visayas Tourism Product presentation of the 33rd Philippine Travel Mart ongoing at the SMX Convention Center at the Mall of Asia Complex.
The governor’s message ushered the unveiling of the new Bohol Promotional Video featuring the song Tuloy Pa Rin by Ito Rapadas of Neocolours performed by the Loboc Children’s Choir, Mae Cruspero and Serenity Band.
The 5-minute tourism recovery video depicts destination favorites, new sites and outdoor adventure activities even after the pandemic and Typhoon Odette.
According to Aumentado, Bohol has recorded a 52% growth in the number of tourists arriving in the province for the first half of this year alone – a steady recovery from its slump due to travel restrictions in the past 2 years.
With this optimistic number, Aumentado said Bohol’s tourism development plan is directed towards diversifying tourism offerings such as in eco-tourism, heritage and faith-based, food and farm, fitness and adventure, arts and crafts, smart and even sports tourism to ensure a memorable experience for tourists and travelers. The Bohol pavilion of 10 exhibitors opens with an urna or “bahay ng Santo” – hand crafted and painted by local artists and shipped to Manila just for the 3-day tour and travel expo. (rvo/lm)
