Wazzup Pilipinas!
Bohol’s tourism industry is well on its way to recovery with the reopening of the Loboc River Cruise last 24 October 2013, which had an unexpected turnout of walk-in visitors outnumbering those invited. Other attractions that have reopened include the Tarsier Habitat and the Chocolate Hills Adventure Park.
The Department of Tourism (DOT) Region 7 office reports that roads leading to most of the tourist attractions are now passable, with roads from Tagbilaran City to Carmen via Corella already open to light vehicles (cars and vans). Most tourism establishments have also resumed operations, and owners are discussing measures on how to implement the swift turnaround of their businesses. These include providing alternative routes and tours, as well as promotional offers.
During her visit to Bohol last Friday, United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Country Mission Director Gloria D. Steele committed USAID’s support by extending technical assistance to the DOT and Bohol stakeholders in the preparation of a recovery plan for the Cebu-Bohol Tourism Development Areas (TDAs). DOT Region VII Director Rowena Montecillo gave an initial post-disaster assessment, while the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) evaluated the impact of the earthquake on the access and discussed the rehabilitation measures needed in support of the tourism program.