Is it time to head to Bohol? Panglao island, Lamanok island in Anda, and—of course—the famous Chocolate Hills in Carmen are all welcoming tourists from GCQ areas, including Manila, once again. This comes after ten months of no tourism, which makes up about 70 percent of Bohol's livelihood.
“We are here because we want to revive tourism, gusto nating ibalik 'yong trabaho," Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said at a virtual press conference that was held on Tuesday, December 08.
According to Bohol Governor Arthur Yap, leisure travelers will be welcome, including senior citizens and minors, following a strict test-before-travel policy.
Tourists are required to submit a negative RT-PCR test taken at least 72 hours before departure, as well as confirmation of their pre-booked tours and hotels that have been certified under the Department of Tourism and the local government's Ultimate Bohol Experience (UBE) program. This is to ensure that tourism will not only be compliant with IATF rules, but also with proper environmental standards.
According to the LGU, guests staying for not more than five days are also not required to go through quarantine; however those staying for more than six days will need to go through another RT-PCR test by their fifth day.
Travelers from Manila can book a flight to Panglao via Philippine Airlines, AirAsia, and Cebu Pacific. Before visiting the island, tourists are also required to have an electronic visitor’s ID, which they can get once they register their trip through Bohol’s official tourism website.
