By Helen Castaño | 04:52 PM October 01, 2022
Gov. Aris Aumentado on Friday invited tourists to come to Bohol province during the Central Visayas Tourism Product presentation of the 33rd Philippine Travel Mart ongoing at the SMX Convention Center at the Mall of Asia Complex.
“Bohol is ready and waiting for your visit,” said Aumentado who addressed the tourism industry stakeholders and travel enthusiasts.
PTM is the biggest travel trade exhibition in the country.
“Bohol is more than just the beaches of Panglao Island, Chocolate Hills, Loboc River, the historic churches, or the tarsier viewing. We can offer you a lot,” he added.
Aumentado also launched 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 five-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 two 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 opened with an urna or “bahay ng Santo” hand crafted and painted by local artists and shipped to Manila just for the three-day tour and travel expo.
PTC Vice Chair for Private Sector Lourdes Sultan explained that the exhibit showcases different tourism products highlighting farm to table experiences, outdoor adventure and fitness, faith based tourism through the Via Maria pilgrimage and tour of restored churches, local delicacies such as the tinapay, broas, ube, calamay, and rice wine. The booths also display local products made of raffia and bamboo.
Bohol exhibitors were local governments of Loboc, Panglao, Anda and Carmen, Loboc River Resort, Bohol Society of Travel Agencies (BSTA), Rio Verde Floating Restuarant-Loay, Best Western Plus The Ivy Wall, Ramyer Travel & Tours/Bohol Sunside Resort, and Chandelier Wedding Coordination and Events.
Also participated were South Palms Resort, Bluewater Panglao Beach Resort, Mithi Resort and Spa, Bohol Beach Club, Modala Beach Resort, Solea Coast Resort Panglao, and The Bellevue Resort.
The event was also graced by provincial officials including provincial administrator Aster Caberte, Reps. Edgar Chatto, Vanessa Aumentado and Alexie Tutor, board members Tita Baja, Nathaniel Binlod and Jamie Villamor, Carmen Mayor Che Toribio-Delos Reyes, and tourism industry partners and stakeholders: DOT Usec./Reg. Dir. Shalimar Tamano, Provincial Tourism Council chair Atty. Lucas Nunag, and Bohol Tourism Office head Jo Cabarrus.
There were over 200 exhibitors offering accommodations, flights, as well as, domestic and international travel packages at discounted rates at the PTM which runs until Sunday, Oct. 2. With a report from PiMO