Cebu, Bohol among top local tourist destinations

• Source: http://www.philstar.com/cebu-news/2018/01/25/1781262/cebu-bohol-among-top-local-tourist-destinations
• Thursday, January 25, 2018

By May B. Miasco (FPL. The Freeman) 25, 2018 12:00 am

CEBU, Philippines — The provinces of Cebu and Bohol are among the top 10 destinations preferred by local tourists, according to the recent study conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority.

Department of Tourism-7 director Shalimar Hofer Tamano said the two provinces “remain competitive and attractive for domestic travelers.” Among the 81 provinces in the country, Bohol and Cebu placed 6th and 7th, respectively, as the most visited destinations by domestic tourists.

“Both are endowed with distinct natural attractions - marine resources for diving, beaches, canyons, rivers, mountains, fauna, as well as the rich cultural heritage of the country can be very well seen and experienced in both provinces,” Tamano said.

PSA and DOT jointly conducted the Household Survey on Domestic Visitors (HSDV) in November 2016 to gather household data on domestic tourism in the country.

The survey was conducted from April 1, 2016 to September 30, 2016.

National Capital Region ranked first followed by Negros Occidental, Pangasinan, Cavite, and Quezon.

The data shows that Cebu had a total of 2,288,571 domestic tourists in 2016 while Bohol had 2,731,915.

The same national survey indicated that most local tourists travel purposely for pleasure or vacation while some travel to visit friends or relatives. The others are for pilgrimage or religious-related trips.

Majority of the tourists who travelled for vacation stayed at home with friends or relatives during their trip while 9.9 percent of them opted to stay in resorts and 9.4 percent in hotels.

In the past twelve months prior to the data collection period, most of local tourists travelled during the long weekend holiday like Christmas (47.9 percent); some (39.8 percent) travelled during All Saints’ Day; and others (27 percent) during Holy Week.

Moreover, Tamano said the local tourism industry continues to provide the needed employment and entrepreneurial opportunities for locals as well.

He said the DOT-7 has been working hand in hand with the local domestic carriers to promote and support Cebu as the hub in central Philippines or Visayas region while they are also in need of a strengthened collaboration with partners in the opening of the Panglao Airport in Bohol.

“We continue to support the efforts of our tourism attaches and market representatives abroad, together with our Market Development Group and Tourism Promotions Board, and even with our airport authorities and partners, and our routes development group so that there will be more international flights into Cebu,” he said.

Tamano also encouraged local government units and the private sector as well to come up with more attractions that tourists both local and foreign can visit and experience.