Roque says Bohol reopening doors to tourists

PANGLAO ISLAND—The island-province of Bohol will reopen its doors to tourists starting on Nov. 15, according to a ranking Palace official.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque announced this during his visit to Bohol on Wednesday (Oct. 28) and Thursday (Oct. 29).

“Obviously I am playing favorites,” said Roque at a press briefing.

“I like Bohol more than other places because in Bohol, not only do they have the white sand of Alona Beach, they have the Chocolate Hills, tarsier and the Loboc River cruise,” he said.

Roque toured the Loboc River and Chocolate Hills on Wednesday.

Allen Varquez, president of  Bohol Association of Hotels, Resorts, Restaurants, Inc. (BAHRR), said hotels, resorts and restaurants are ready for the reopening of the island.

Lawyer Lucas Nunag, chair of the provincial tourism council, said the pandemic has not changed Bohol.

“Beautiful as ever,”said Nunag. “We have prepared new sites especially relating to our heritage and cultural assets,” he added, referring to newly-restored churches that had been destroyed by the 7.2 magnitude quake in 2013.

But tourists, according to Gov. Arthur Yap, are still not allowed to make unplanned or uncoordinated visits to the province’s various tourism sites.

Tourists, he said, need to book their tour with accredited establishments.

Those interested in going to Bohol should first register at the website https://www.tourism.bohol.ph for a quick response (QR) code to book their tickets which serves as their “passport” while in the province.

Before going to Bohol, tourists must also have proofs of negative coronavirus tests 72 hours before their flights.

Dr. Henry Chuseuy, chair of Hennan Group of Resorts, said he hoped that there would be no more restrictions against tourists coming to Bohol.

Panglao tourism is a major contributor to Bohol’s economy.

But tourism in the world-famous resort town ground to a halt during the pandemic when lockdowns were imposed to keep people at home. At least 10,000 tourism industry workers either lost jobs or were furloughed.

In Panglao alone, the tourism business lost an estimated P1 billion in hotel revenue and at least P308 million in room accommodations.

Panglao has 4,753 rooms for tourists in different resorts, hotels and related establishments.

Two other top tourist destinations—Baguio and Boracay—had already reopened to tourists.

TSB