Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco graced Tagbilaran City’s Saulog Festival as guest of honor, the highlight of the annual feast of Señor San Jose, the city’s patron saint.
In her speech delivered in native Cebuano language, Frasco underscored that Bohol is considered as one of the Philippines’ top tourist destinations delivering more than a million inbound visitors to the country last year.
“Bohol has recorded 720 percent flight recovery in 2023.”
“Indeed, Bohol is one of the Philippines’ top tourist destinations with more than one million tourists visiting the province last year. Not only that, Bohol has recorded 720 percent flight recovery in 2023,” the tourism chief noted.
“Thus, the Department of Tourism is working hard to ensure that we are able to add more flights and expand Bohol’s connectivity to other international destinations through our ongoing discussions with other nations,” the tourism head said, further noting the resiliency of Boholanos who surpassed the challenges of the Super Typhoon Odette and the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I was just in Bohol last March during the PATA Conference for Women in Travel. We decided to hold the event in Bohol in recognition of Bohol’s growing tourism industry and the role of tourism as an economic driver in the province. We also featured Bohol as one of the highlight destinations of the Philippines during ITB Berlin in Germany which is considered one of the biggest travel fairs in the world. We were able to showcase Bohol’s natural wonders as the country’s first UNESCO Geopark including the Chocolate Hills, the incredible tarsiers, and the talents of the Loboc Children’s choir,” she shared.
“As tourists flock to Bohol, it is important that infrastructure support must be implemented.”
Frasco said that as tourists flock to Bohol, it is important that infrastructure support must be implemented.
Thus, the DOT inaugurated the province’s first Tourist Rest Area (TRA) in Dauis town, with the second one to be built in the province’s capital, Tagbilaran City.
Meanwhile, she stressed the significance of the Saulog Festival in building Bohol’s tourism identity as the country’s first recognized UNESCO Global Geopark.
“We consider Bohol as a complete destination not only because of your beautiful natural landscapes, but also because of your history which can be seen in your many centuries-old churches, tasted in your gastronomic delights and heritage dishes, and celebrated in your fiestas and celebrations such as Tagbilaran’s Saulog Festival that showcases your heritage, culture, and strength as a community whose love for one another unites you through thick and thin,” Frasco stressed.
Other government officials who joined the festivity were Senator Imee Marcos, House Deputy Speaker Camille Villar, Bohol Governor Aris Aumentado, Vice Governor Dionisio Victor Balite and the Provincial Board Members, Provincial Administrator Aster Caberte, San Miguel Corporation Vice President Ret. Col. Ariel Quirubin, DOT Undersecretary Shahlimar Hofer Tamano, OIC Assistant Secretary Judilyn Quiachon, and other mayors of the province and their councils.
The event was organized by the City Government of Tagbilaran led by Mayor Jane Yap and Vice Mayor Adam Relson Jala.
