Bohol governor hopeful of tourism industry rebound

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol — Faced with declining tourist arrivals and concerns over expensive food and services, the provincial government is banking on new international flights, fair pricing and sustainable tourism to restore travelers’ confidence in Bohol, Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado said on Friday.

In his State of the Province Address (Sopa), Aumentado acknowledged the tourism downturn in 2026, saying the decline was not confined to Bohol but was also being experienced by destinations nationwide and globally.

Tourist arrivals plunged nearly 22 percent in the first half of 2026, with travel agencies reporting a dearth of bookings and some resorts cutting jobs as occupancy remained low.

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READ: Bohol tourist arrivals drop 22% in first half of year

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Data from the Bohol Provincial Tourism Office said the province recorded 637,288 tourist arrivals from January to June, a 21.98-percent decline from the same period in 2025.

Bohol welcomed 1.49 million tourists in 2025, nearly matching pre-pandemic levels, and generated P26 billion in tourism receipts, up 12 percent from 2024. Visitors stayed an average of three nights.

However, concerns over expensive food, including a widely discussed overpriced pompano fish meal in Panglao, have put the affordability and quality of the visitor experience under public scrutiny.

“We will not let a few complaints about unfair pricing define Bohol. We listened, took action, and addressed the concerns they raised, so we can continue to promote quality tourism, fair prices, good service, and sustainable growth,” Aumentado said, adding that the provincial government had listened to the concerns and taken action.

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The province is rolling out the Bohol Fair Value Tourism Program to promote reasonable prices, protect visitors and rebuild trust in the tourism industry.

Aumentado said the Tourism Recovery Plan also prioritizes stronger air connectivity, expanded markets and improved visitor experiences, with the provincial government working with the Department of Tourism, Aboitiz, Japan Travel Bureau Tokyo, Trip.com and other tourism partners.

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South Korea remained Bohol’s leading foreign tourism market, accounting for 44 percent of international arrivals in 2025. Spain recorded the highest growth at 74 percent, followed by Australia at 57 percent.

To attract more visitors, Bohol has expanded its international connections through a chartered flight from Japan that began operating on May 2 and a maiden chartered flight between Bohol and Bali, Indonesia, through Citilink.

Another chartered flight from Japan is expected in December.

Starting in October, Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific are also adding Manila-Bohol services using wide-body aircraft, Aumentado said.

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The province is strengthening sea connectivity as well, with OceanJet linking Bohol to Siquijor and Misamis Occidental.

The governor said booking trends indicated renewed traveler confidence, citing visitors from China, Hong Kong and South Korea during their autumn holiday season.

Bohol’s accommodation capacity has also grown to about 1,000 establishments with more than 13,000 rooms, representing a 30 percent increase, according to Aumentado.

Beyond attracting visitors, the provincial government is working to improve tourism infrastructure and protect the natural attractions that draw travelers to the island.

In partnership with the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority, the province is pursuing shoreline development and improvements at Alona Beach in Panglao to make the area safer and more visitor-friendly.

Closed temporarily in September 2024, Virgin Island reopened in February 2026 under a stricter tourism management framework designed to balance tourism development with environmental protection.

Whale shark watching is also scheduled to reopen in November under rules for safe and responsible wildlife encounters. Feeding whale sharks will remain prohibited, Aumentado said.

The province has also installed closed-circuit television cameras along Alona Beach to strengthen public safety.

Bohol is developing climate adaptation plans for Balicasag Island and the Loboc River under a partnership with the Canadian government’s Governance for Climate and Disaster Risk Reduction program. The initiative seeks to protect natural resources and livelihoods in two important tourism areas.

Aumentado also highlighted Bohol’s designation as the Philippines’ first and only United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) Global Geopark, saying the province had made progress in strengthening conservation, land and marine protection, and community participation.

The governor said tourism development should generate income for a broader range of sectors, including transport workers, farmers, artisans, micro, small and medium enterprises, and local communities.

Aumentado said maintaining Bohol’s reputation as a welcoming destination required cooperation between government, tourism operators, businesses and residents.

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“Tourism development is not the responsibility of the government alone; it is the responsibility of all of us),” he said, calling on Boholanos to help protect the province’s image and reputation. INQ /mr