Talking about relentless tourism promotion for Bohol, nobody beats us.
For years now, Bohol’s presence in Travel Marts and product fairs relating to tourism has been so far excellent. Our tourism product development has never been short of spectacular and the choreographed partnership between the public and the private sector is unparalleled as yet.
Until the last Travel Mart.
From keeping and wearing the crown, the seal and the belt as the country’s best tourism destination, this year proved to be a failure for Bohol.
No, not that our losing to South Cotabato in the Travel Mart’s recent Best Booth competition is already a portent of the lost tourism revenues.
The contest, which was based on the visual presentation as much as the number of visits that one booth or pavilion gets from fair visitors, Bohol only mustered enough to stay next to someplace else.
If looks were the mere barometer, Bohol pavilion could fare very well, compared to the winner who allegedly spent over P2 million for their product showcase at the fair.
But even then, why had the contender amassed that much visitors compared to Bohol?
On this, our sources came up with two theories: Bohol has not worked hard to make its new products just as interesting as its main destinations. And two, tourists have had so much of Bohol to seek the new thrill elsewhere.
On theory number 1, we believe it is, on the very least unfair to JICA and the Bohol Ecotourism Council who has wrapped 60 new packages.
On number 2, that could well be the reason.
A Department of Tourism data said most of the local tourists in Bohol have been coming back several times and apparently couldn’t get enough of Bohol. But why this?
Our contention is simple. Returning local tourists, who apparently were there scouting for more fun at the Travel Mart knew getting and staying in Bohol is never fun.
The airplane fares are elitist. The airport landing is dangerous and plane schedules are as fickle as the health of the planes landing.
The transfer from Cebu airport to the port to Tagbilaran is horrendous. The fastcraft restrooms are eeky. The tricycle drivers are vultures and the hotel rooms are overrated as they are over-priced.
Then vacation is a luxury for those needing the comfort or a traveler, Bohol can never be, unless somebody gets the right fix going.
