Tourism stakeholders in Bohol and the provincial government are set to unveil massive discounts for tourists and travelers planning to go to the island in a bid to revive the industry amid the pandemic.
In a virtual briefing about the "Balik sa Bohol: Bohol Online Sale" Wednesday, Feb. 10, Bohol Gov. Arthur C. Yap said the province has long been ready to welcome tourists back to its shores after months of travel restrictions.
"Despite what happened at the onset of COVID-19, despite all the worries and uncertainties last year, we knew that we will be finding our way to recover from this pandemic," Yap added.
Bluewater Resorts Vice President for Sales and Marketing Margie Munsayac said 13 resorts, one adventure park, and six tour operators will be taking part in the Bohol Online Sale, which is the first of its kind, from Feb. 21 to March 14.
Participating establishments will be offering as much as 70 percent discount in rooms, food, tours, and related services during the online sale organized by the private sector and fully supported by the Department of Tourism, Tourism Promotions Board, and the Provincial Government of Bohol.
The participants include 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, South Palms Resorts Panglao, Angels’ Wings Tours, and Travel, Baclayon Travel & Tours, Bohol Holidays Travel & Tours Inc., Coordinates Tours, and Travel, and Travel Village.
Interested tourists can book through https//traveloco.ph/balikbohol to avail of the sales promo.
Yap underscored that Bohol's health and safety protocols for tourists have also been modified and eased to encourage more travelers to visit the island.
According to Yap, tourists only have to present a "negative RT-PCR test result, with the swab taken within 72 hours to travel time; confirmed booking at a Department of Tourism (DoT)-accredited hotel, and must register at http://tourism.bohol.gov.ph. For those going on tour, a confirmed tour booking through a DoT-accredited tour operator (is needed)."
A "bubble tourism" system was also devised in Bohol, which Yap said would allow tourists to visit attractions along the way even if municipalities are not officially open. Currently, Panglao Island and the municipality of Anda are the only areas officially open for domestic tourism.
The governor bared earlier this month that the province would begin accepting the more affordable saliva RT-PCR (Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction) test as a valid tourist requirement.
Yap admitted that the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease) pandemic has heavily impacted the local tourism sector, with revenue losses reaching up to P15 billion. Some 211,000 Boholanos have also been adversely affected.