THE Silver Shadow luxury cruise visits Bohol for a whole-day tour, visiting the province’s eco-tourism and heritage sites.
Arrived on Saturday, February 11, at the Tagbilaran City Seaport, the Provincial Government of Bohol, along with Tagbilaran’s City Government, greeted the 392 passengers and 302 crew members of the famous luxury cruise, the first to visit Bohol since the COVID-19 Pandemic.
The Bahamanian-registered cruise ship partnered with Travel Village Tours and Travel in Tagbilaran to accommodate the 197 passengers participating in the tour. Lourdes Sultan of Travel Village and Vice Chair of the Provincial Tourism Council said that Bohol expects more cruise ships to dock on the island as COVID-19 restrictions relax to accommodate tourism activities.
According to Marlou T. Bachoco, acting Port Manager of the Philippine Ports Authority, Port Management Office-Bohol, various government agencies and stakeholders have been preparing for their arrival since January, focusing on security measures for the tourists to ensure a safe visit to Bohol.
Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado, Tagbilaran City Mayor Jane Yap with First Gentleman John Geesnell “Baba” Yap, Bohol Provincial Tourism Office head Josephine Cabarrus welcomed the guest as they exited the cruise ship on their way to their respective tour buses.
Interviewed by the Provincial Information and Media Office (PIMO), Aumentado said that the Provincial Government is excited to welcome visitors and sees this as an opportunity to market Bohol as a leisure destination for international tourists.
he Tagbilaran City Government will closely work with the Provincial Government to create more tourism initiatives to attract more international tourists.
“We are proud of the strong partnership with Tagbilaran City and the Provincial Government. Dako kaayo ni nga garbo nato nga mo abot ang mga international tourists sa atong probinsya og i-host sila diri sa Tagbilaran. We are also preparing for our Tagbilaran Tourism Plan, in partnership with the Bohol Provincial Tourism Office, that will cater to more international visitors to the Province,” Yap said.
The Lungsoranon Performing Arts Ensemble (LUPAE) of Holy Cross Academy in Tubigon greeted the guests with a Kuradang dance performance, a cultural dance in the province.
The guests went on a whole-day tour, from 9 AM to 4 PM, visiting known tourist sites in the province, such as the Chocolate Hills in Carmen, the Tarsier Sanctuary in Corella, and the various baroque colonial churches in Bohol. (PiMO/GMC)
