Bohol tour industry turns to local market after ban on Chinese tourists due to nCoV

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol — Jun Valeroso decided to stay at home since he has no trip for the past days.

Valeroso, 56, a boatman was hired by tour operators and resort owners to guide tourists who would like to go whale and dolphin watching on Pamilacan Island.

He said he had no bookings when the novel coronavirus outbreak occurred and after a travel ban was implemented as part of the government’s effort to stop the spread of the Wuhan coronavirus.

Before the coronavirus outbreak, his phone did not stop buzzing — he had at least two or three group tours a day, mostly Chinese tourists.

Now, his phone is silent.

“I just hope that this situation gets resolved quickly,”said Valeroso.

The cancellations also made many tourism stakeholders in Bohol feel anxious.

“We are concerned about the decrease in tourists,” said Angie Hoffman, president of the Panglao Island Chamber of Commerce and Industry
(PICCI).

She said, at first, members of the PICCI didn’t agree to a total travel ban for Chinese tourists, but they have to follow the directive of President Duterte.

Hoffman said at least 40 percent of Chinese bookings in resorts and hotels in Panglao Island had been canceled. The cancellations, she said, would increase in the coming days.

“It will affect tourism, especially in Panglao, where most big resorts have many guests coming from China,” said Hoffman.

Chinese tourists have favorable impressions of Bohol and its people.

Hoffman said they would focus on bringing in tourists from other places like Europe following the travel ban of Chinese tourists.

She added that they would have to strengthen and boost domestic arrivals since Bohol is now a domestic destination.

Miraflor Lawangon, proprietor of Wow Bohol Travel and Tours, said it concerned her that the cancellations increased after the travel ban was imposed.

She said she would rely on local tourists who would come to Bohol especially this summer.

“We will be expecting more cancellations in the coming days. Somehow, this will affect our travel agency business and this will hurt our tourism industry in Bohol,” she said./lzb