Together with my wife, we went to Bohol early this year to celebrate our first year anniversary as a couple. In contrast to last year where we had our honeymoon offshore, we decided to go local on this equally important occasion. Check out our Bohol Tour Itinerary.
Panglao Beach
Bohol Travel Fair
Bohol is moving to become a must-go destination in the Philippines as it launches new and exciting tourist destinations with rock bottom prices for airfares, hotels and resorts during a travel fair to be held in Glorietta Mall come January 9 to 12, 2015.
Bohol provincial governor Edgar Chatto said the province will also formally launch its new branding “Behold…BOHOL,” which positions the province as a destination that exudes a sense of awe in every visitor. This is a move from the older Bohol: Heart of the Islands campaign.
In the program, at least 50% discount in accommodations, tours and other travel essentials in Bohol will be offered during the three-day travel fair. The travel fair will open in a grand program featuring the world-famous Loboc Children’s Choir. The chorale group will have a nightly concert during the three-day event. Boholano products will likewise be on sale.
The three-day event is the first time ever that tourism sector in Bohol comes together in a massive campaign to entice tourists to visit. It is part of the Bohol Tourism Action Plan developed through the collaboration of the United States Agency for International Development through its Advancing Philippine Competitiveness Project (USAID-COMPETE), the Department of Tourism (DOT), the United Nations-World Tourism Organization (UN-WTO), and the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) as well as local tourism stakeholders.
Buggy Ride @ Chocolate Hills
Behold Bohol
Meanwhile, the new branding “Behold…BOHOL” was developed with the help of CNN’s branding expert Anita Mendiratta. Bohol is the first province that benefited from an outreach program of CNN.
AirAsia, the leading budget airline in the Asian region, is the exclusive airline partner for the campaign and will offer seat sale. The airline that has been awarded the Skytrax’s World’s Best Low Cost Carrier for six consecutive years is also committed to offer year-round low fares for flights between Manila - Tagbilaran (Bohol) and Manila – Cebu.
Bohol province is dubbed as the eco-cultural tourism capital with its fascinating Chocolate Hills, pristine and white sand beaches in Panglao and Anda. It is also home to the well-loved Tarsier, considered the smallest and oldest primate in the world.
“We want to develop Bohol as the tourism superpower and a top holiday destination in the Philippines,” said Bohol governor Edgar Chatto.
He said the launch of the ’Behold… BOHOL’ aims to promote the province as a complete tourist destination because every town has a unique tourist attraction to offer to visitors.
Aside from the iconic destinations, the province is surrounded by caves, tranquil rivers, fascinating water falls, marine sanctuaries, mangroves and diving sites.
Loboc River in Bohol
The Beaches of Anda
Moreover, Chatto mentioned that Bohol is now promoting the powdery white sand beaches of Anda, as the next tourist destination. Road and infrastructure access to Anda are underway through the convergence program of Department of Tourism and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) that seeks to connect airports to tourist destinations.
Anda is a must visit in Bohol for its unique and wider coastlines making it a perfect destination both for relaxing walk on the beach or water sports activities.
The town is also home to the Lamanok Mystical Island and is fast becoming a popular destinations. Lamanok can be reached within a two-hour drive from the capital, Tagbilaran. The island has a rich lush mangrove protecting the community from flooding, pollution and water surge. It hosts some mystical caves where ancient Boholanons bury their loved ones in jars.
Bohol Tarsier
Home to Asia’s largest mangrove forest called Banacon located north of the municipality of Getafe, the province of Bohol leaves much to be cherished. It has a total of 425 hectares with only 15 hectares dry land and the rest are extensive mangrove plantation.
AirAsia has expressed support in the ‘Behold…BOHOL’ campaign by offering its lowest possible rates for visiting tourists. Flying at least three times to Bohol weekly, the horizon is promising.
I just came from a Bohol vacation.