Bohol has long been lauded as one of the Philippines’ top travel destinations and is on everyone’s bucket list. A model of eco-tourism in the country, the prominent province is famous for its natural wonders such as the Chocolate Hills, Loboc River and Panglao Island.
However, Bohol has not been spared by the adverse effects brought about by COVID-19. Like the rest of the country, this captivating province had to take a rest from its tourism activities to protect its people from the pandemic that has gripped the world.
But after months of slumber, Bohol is finally ready to welcome back visitors who want to experience all that it has to offer. The local government of Bohol, in partnership with the Department of Tourism, Tourism Promotions Board, and various travel and tourism businesses has launched Balik sa Bohol, an online travel sale that aims to help the province jumpstart its tourism industry amidst the new normal.
According to DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, the Department of Tourism, along with the provincial and local leaders of Bohol are “committed to protecting the health and safety of locals and tourists alike. Regaining the trust and confidence of Filipinos to travel again is essential to the revival of the tourism industry.”
The Balik sa Bohol Online Sale offers massive discounts from your favorite Bohol adventure spots, hotels, and resorts such as Amarela Resort, Amorita Resort, Be Grand Hotel, Bohol Bee Farm, The Bellevue Resort, Best Western Plus The Ivywall Panglao Resort, Bluewater Panglao Beach Resort, Bohol Beach Club, Chocolate Hills Adventure Park, The Acacia Glamping, Donatela Resort and Sanctuary, Loboc River Resort, Mithi Resort and Spa, and South Palms Resorts Panglao.
Travel service companies such as Angels’ Wings Tours and Travel, Baclayon Travel & Tours, Bohol Holidays Travel & Tours Inc., Coordinates Tours, and Travel, and Travel Village are also extending irresistible packages that you wouldn’t want to miss.
Simply head over to www.traveloco.ph/balikbohol to avail yourself of up to 70% off on travel deals from the participating establishments. The Balik sa Bohol sale runs until March 31, 2021.
Ensuring the safety of tourists and locals
Strict health and safety protocols are set in place to ease the minds of both the visitors and locals. “We are looking for all cities and provinces to come to Bohol as long as they follow the health protocols that have been implemented,” said Bohol Governor Arthur Yap.
Before visiting Bohol, travelers must have a negative RT-PCR test taken at least 72 hours before the date of travel, confirmed booking at a DOT-accredited or Ultimate Bohol Experience (UBE) certified accommodation, and a confirmed booking with a DOT-accredited tour operator or travel agency. Travelers must also pre-register at Bohol’s official website, www.tourism.bohol.gov.ph to get personal QR codes that will serve as their electronic IDs while in the province.
Tourist bubbles are also set in place to ensure safety protocols are rigorously implemented, and to make contact tracing measures easier. These bubbles help guarantee that a COVID-19 negative tourist will be traveling only on trips organized by a DOT-accredited tour operator or travel agency, and will only be interacting with the same group for the whole duration of his or her visit. It also ensures that tours only stop by designated areas and that tourists don’t divert from their recommended itinerary.
A promising uptick in tourist arrivals
According to Mayor Leonila Montero of Panglao, the feedback of local tourists to the Balik sa Bohol program have been “very encouraging”, and the municipality’s tourist arrivals have gone up from less than 100 a day to around 200 to 300 per day since the Balik sa Bohol Online Sale launched last February 21, 2021. Tourism is one of Bohol’s major economic players and the rekindled interest of the public to travel to the province will surely have positive effects on all its stakeholders.
With travel restrictions slowly easing up, and now with a vaccine in sight, the local government of Bohol can anticipate the demand to go even higher. With all the safety precautions and health protocols that have been set in place, tourists and locals alike have nothing to worry about. Indeed, “ang pag balik sa Bohol kanunay mong gikahinaman” (returning to Bohol will always excite you).
For more information, about traveling to Bohol through the promotion, click here.
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