The provincial government is intensifying efforts to draw tourists back to Bohol, deploying travel expos, discounted resort rates and new promotional programs as the province works to reverse a decline in visitor arrivals.
Provincial Tourism Council co-chairman Lucas Nunag said tourism remains one of Bohol’s main economic drivers and a key source of livelihood for many Boholanos, making its recovery a Capitol priority.
He attributed the slowdown to several factors, including higher travel costs, reduced flights, the closure of whale shark watching over safety concerns, and the depreciation of the Korean won, which has led South Korean tourists to choose Vietnam and Japan instead.
Chinese tourist arrivals have also dropped following the shutdown of Philippine offshore gaming operations, he said.
Despite the setbacks, Nunag said he remains optimistic that new promotions and packages will help the industry rebound, adding that Bohol’s designation as a UNESCO Global Geopark stands to significantly boost promotional efforts going forward.
As part of that push, the Capitol opened the fifth Sandugo Tourism and Travel Expo on July 29, 2026 at the Island City Mall Activity Center, with top officials marking the event with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The expo, which ran through July 31, showcased offerings from Bohol’s local tourism industry and formed part of broader efforts Nunag said are needed to counter the decline in arrivals.
Airport data suggests the province’s long-term tourism trajectory remains upward despite current challenges.
The Bohol-Panglao International Airport expects to handle 1.9 million passengers in 2026, up from 1.3 million in 2019, according to Department of Tourism-Central Visayas official Gelena Asis Dimpas.
She said that growth depends on continued cooperation among government, the private sector, local communities and tourism stakeholders toward sustainable and inclusive tourism, and that the strength of the industry should be measured by how much it benefits local communities while showcasing Bohol’s natural and cultural attractions.
Dimpas said she expects further growth despite challenges such as shifting outbound travel patterns, airline consolidation and geopolitical tensions, adding that the Department of Tourism sees continued opportunity for the sector in Bohol.
Even as officials push for recovery, tour operators have raised a separate concern that could complicate efforts: an alleged decision by the Maritime Industry Authority to bar bancas under 15 tons from sailing to Pamilacan Island, a popular snorkeling destination off Panglao.
Under the reported order, smaller bancas can no longer ferry tourists to the island, disrupting trips for guests hoping to visit. Tour guides said some trips were canceled after being flagged by the Philippine Coast Guard, which required operators to secure a certificate of public convenience, leaving several bancas moored and unable to sail.
Operators said the order has affected the local tour industry, since most bancas serving the Panglao-to-Pamilacan route fall under the 15-ton threshold.