An ordinance that governs, regulates tourism development and promotion programs including the accreditation and supervision of the operations of tourism-related establishments and services in the province was finally approved by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP). On its third and final reading the Provincial Ordinance C-003-2008, known as the Tourism Code of Bohol was finally approved. The approval was after a yearlong series of consultations with stakeholders in the tourism industry, according to Provincial Board Member Corazon Galbreath, chairperson of the SP committee on tourism. Under the ordinance, tourism is acknowledged as “the main economic driver” in the province that can provide more jobs and increase the financial resources of the provincial government. Sponsored and authored by Board Member Galbreath, the Tourism Code sets penalties for tourism-related establishments that do not comply with standards for accreditation of the Department of Tourism and the World Tourism Organization. The measure also provides tax incentives to investors and the ease to secure permits and licenses to operate.
