By I. Inojales | 04:08 PM May 06, 2026
BOHOL, Philippines — Aboitiz InfraCapital (AIC) Airports has partnered with the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines, the Department of Tourism (DOT) Central Visayas, and the Provincial Government of Bohol to highlight community-based tourism through a four-day immersive tour held from April 21 to 24.
The initiative gathered key tourism stakeholders, including chefs, key opinion leaders, destination management companies (DMCs), and travel trade representatives, to experience Bohol beyond its usual attractions.
The program aimed to strengthen tourism pathways that directly benefit local communities by connecting visitors to local culture, traditions, and livelihoods.
At the heart of the tour was a curated journey across Bohol’s communities. Participants engaged in hands-on activities such as harvesting ingredients at Bellevue Farm, learning the traditional process of making asin tibuok in Alburquerque, and crafting tablea chocolate at Lasang Farm.
Ten DMCs joined the immersion and are expected to develop tourism packages that incorporate these community-based experiences. Culinary demonstrations by Michelin-recognized chefs, along with coverage by media and lifestyle influencers, also helped position Bohol as an emerging culinary and cultural destination.
Among those who attended were TPB Chief Operating Officer Maria Margarita Montemayor Nograles, members of the agency’s promotions and communications teams, and AIC Vice President and Head of Airports Rafael Aboitiz, who took part in the program’s opening activities.
Bohol Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado welcomed participants during the opening dinner at Bohol Bee Farm.
Aboitiz said AIC views tourism as more than movement, but as a way to connect communities. He noted that infrastructure such as the Bohol-Panglao International Airport plays a key role in opening opportunities for local communities to share their culture and stories.
Nograles emphasized that tourism should go beyond destinations, focusing on relationships between people, culture, and the environment. She cited Bohol as an example of how tourism can remain both meaningful and sustainable.
Aumentado, for his part, underscored the importance of partnerships in expanding opportunities for local communities while preserving the province’s identity. He said initiatives like the immersion tour help ensure tourism growth is shared and inclusive.
Throughout the program, participants explored a mix of cultural, culinary, and eco-tourism experiences. These included a Loboc River cruise with a live cooking demonstration, visits to the Tarsier Sanctuary in Corella, the Chocolate Hills, and Kinaiyahan Forest Park, where a tree-planting activity highlighted environmental sustainability.
The group also met local artisans such as raffia weavers in Tubigon and joined community-based activities like paddleboarding at Fox and Firefly Cottages, showcasing grassroots enterprises supported by tourism.
Organizers said the initiative demonstrates how collaboration between government, private sector partners, and communities can create jobs, strengthen local businesses, and promote inclusive growth.
With improved access through the Bohol-Panglao International Airport, AIC Airports and its partners said they will continue supporting programs that elevate Philippine tourism while ensuring benefits reach local communities. With PR
