As the Philippines’ only United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) Global Geopark and a Regenerative Island, Bohol is committed to “responsible tourism.” This commitment is rooted in the understanding that Unesco can revoke these honors for environmental breaches.

Korean tourists, who were Bohol’s largest group of visitors, have significantly declined. Their numbers dropped from 232,000 in 2024 to 83,000 in the first half of 2025, a 30 percent decrease. At their peak, 1,200 Koreans arrived daily, a period facetiously dubbed the “Korean Invasion.” The number of direct flights from Korea to Panglao International Airport has been reduced from eight to three, as tourists have shifted to less expensive destinations like Vietnam.

One of their favorite activities was whale watching in the towns of Lila, Albuquerque, and Dauis. In February, Governor Aris Aumentado suspended these tours for noncompliance with regulations. The illegal use of krill to feed the whales violated a joint agreement between Bohol and agencies like the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Agriculture (DA), and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). The krill also emitted a foul odor that spread across towns.

This practice lured whales away from their natural migratory paths, a violation of the Convention on Migratory Species of Wild Animals. Disrupting their natural behavior threatens the ecological balance and can lead to their death, effectively amounting to captivity, which contributes to the extinction of their species.

Last year, the construction of a resort with a swimming pool (Captain’s Peak) within the Chocolate Hills Protected Area sparked a Senate Inquiry. The Ombudsman was prompted to fire 18 officials and suspend 16 others.

On Pamilacan Island, about 5.7 kilometers from Baclayon (home to one of the country’s oldest churches), diving and snorkeling are now popular. This island was once a hunting ground for whale sharks and manta rays. Hunters used spears to kill the whales, selling them for a lucrative price of ₱100,000, which allowed them to rest from fishing for weeks. Whale hunting is now banned.

Meanwhile, diving has been suspended at the “Holy Place of Diving,” known as Virgin Island. This measure was taken to protect the site for contemplative rest after visitors were found to have drawn ugly graffiti on the corals, destroying their beauty and life.

Additionally, two multi-billion-peso reclamation proposals that would have severely impacted Panglao Island and Tagbilaran City Bay were stopped before they began, thanks to a public outcry led by the Church and concerned citizens. Environmental consciousness appears to have become a way of life for many Boholanos.

In 2018, Provincial Ordinance No. 2018-005, which prohibits the construction of any coal-fired power plant in the province, was approved due to public pressure. This was done despite the lack of a stable power supply at the time. Today, the province has a relatively stable power supply through its interconnection with the Cebu grid and the growth of renewable sources like solar energy.

With its 1.4 million residents, Bohol has shown that it can prosper without sacrificing its pro-environment values.