As tourism trends continue to evolve, Bohol is positioning itself for broader growth through stronger destination planning, expanded travel connectivity, and new tourism experiences designed to attract more visitors and encourage longer stays.
The direction was underscored during a courtesy visit by officials of the Department of Tourism (DOT) Region VII to the Provincial Capitol on July 20, 2026, where discussions focused on sustainable tourism development and strategies to further elevate Bohol’s competitiveness in the tourism industry.
Led by Senior Tourism Operations Officer Renelyn Villegas-Enriquez and Kenneth Lorenz Ruedas, the DOT delegation met with Governor Aris Aumentado and Bohol Provincial Tourism Office Head Joanne Pinat to discuss initiatives that will support local government units in crafting tourism development plans tailored to their respective communities.
A key topic was the conduct of Local Tourism Development Planning, which aims to equip local tourism officers with the tools and guidance needed to formulate tourism strategies that reflect local priorities and opportunities.
The initiative is expected to help municipalities identify and maximize their unique tourism assets while ensuring sustainable growth, a priority of the Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh).
This supports Bohol’s agenda as the Philippines’ first and only UNESCO Global Geopark, where it continues to position itself as a destination more than its iconic natural attractions.
The discussion also led to the exploration of opportunities in strengthening tourism circuits, creating new travel routes that will link Bohol with other destinations across the country, and diversifying tourism offerings that encourage visitors to spend more time in the province.
Governor Aumentado expressed hope for increased air connectivity that would link Bohol to more domestic destinations, including Siargao and Boracay.
He emphasized that improved accessibility would help broaden tourism opportunities and make inter-island travel more convenient for visitors.
Furthermore, the governor also highlighted the province’s growing sports tourism sector, noting that Bohol has successfully hosted major sporting events.
He emphasized that the province has much more to offer travelers, complementing its reputation as a nature and heritage destination.
Meanwhile, Pinat pointed to the increasing interest from the European market, which continues to emerge as a promising segment for Bohol’s tourism industry.
Villegas-Enriquez shared that Bohol remains one of the leading destinations for Korean tourists based on tourism trends observed for 2026.
The continuing collaboration between the PGBh and DOT supports the province’s Strategic Governance Roadmap, which promotes sustainable and inclusive tourism development in Bohol as a UNESCO Global Geopark. (PIMO/MAPI)
