MikeLigalig.com

By Cris Evert Lato
Cebu Daily News

Bohol plans to further develop five nature-based sites to attract more tourists in the province, a tourism official said.

According to Provincial Tourism Council (PTC) chairperson Peter Dejaresco, they already identified “five product sites” located in different towns.

These are the mangrove plantation in Candijay, an oyster farm in Buenavista, the Rajah Sikatuna Park and the Magsaysay Camp in Bilar and Loboc River.

“It's about time Bohol wakes up and realizes that there is a great tourist boom,” said Dejaresco.

Department of Tourism data show that in 2005, more than 35,000 foreign tourists visited Bohol.

Early this month, the Small and Medium Enterprise Development for Sustainable Employment Program (Smedsep), a joint project of the German Technical Coordination and the Department of Trade and Industry Central Visayas, identified Bohol as an ecotourism destination.

PTC's plan to develop more nature-based sites came in response to a suggestion from international tourism consultant Gottfried Hilzward.

Hilzward said Bohol has to improve, if not, develop its nature sites since these are the province's strengths.

Hilzward was in Cebu as the head tourism consultant for the Smedsep project.

“At present, all these (nature sites) are not in place. Beach resorts do not give the competitive edge,” Hilzward told Cebu Daily News.

Based on survey interviews by Hilzward, Bohol can offer more attractive ecotourism packages based on strong tourist growth.

“Bohol has all the means and resources to let tourists experience the best of nature,” he said.

Hilzward cited marketing, product quality and diversity, and distribution as crucial factors which the province needs to address to draw more tourists.

“You need to provide more information on nature sites and create business opportunities for tour operators,” he advised tourism officials.

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