Bohol has surpassed Aklan as a top tourist destination in the country, despite facing criticism for its high prices of goods and services, according to Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado.
Aumentado said that Bohol attracted more than a million visitors in 2023 alone, disrupting the tourism of Aklan, which is home to the famous Boracay Island.
He said that he was informed by Aklan’s governor that some tourists have shifted their preference from Boracay to Panglao Island, which offers a similar beach experience but with more variety of attractions.
“Even if they say that Bohol is expensive, we have been able to compete with Aklan, which is known for its cheap and affordable tourism,” Aumentado said.
He added that Bohol’s prices reflect the quality and value of its products and services, which cater to different markets and segments.
He also dismissed the claims of his former ally and now critic, Ronie Orillosa, who described Bohol’s prices as having a “dollar rate.”
Orillosa, whose allegations are backed by Abaka Chairman Norris Oculam, has been accusing Aumentado of mismanaging the province’s tourism industry and failing to address the issues of poverty and corruption.
Aumentado said that Orillosa’s allegations are baseless and politically motivated, and that he is confident that the people of Bohol will see through his lies.
He said that Bohol’s tourism success is not an accident, but a result of careful planning and implementation of the right policies.
Aumentado cited the Tourism Code of 2009, which was authored by former Bohol governor and now congressman Edgar Chatto and former senator Richard Gordon, as the legal framework that guided the development and promotion of Bohol’s tourism.
He also credited the completion of the Bohol Panglao International Airport, which was initiated by Chatto and supported by the national government, as the game-changer that boosted Bohol’s accessibility and connectivity to both domestic and international markets.
He said that the airport, which opened in 2018, has enabled direct flights from South Korea and China, two of the largest sources of tourists for Bohol.
He said that these tourists not only enjoy Panglao’s beaches, but also explore Bohol’s other attractions, such as the Chocolate Hills, the Loboc River, the Tarsier Sanctuary, and the heritage churches.
The governor said that Bohol’s tourism industry has also generated jobs and income for the locals, and has contributed to the province’s economic growth and social development.
He said that he will continue to support and improve Bohol’s tourism sector, and to showcase the province’s beauty and culture to the world.