Tourists expected to flock to Bohol
THE Department of Tourism (DOT) expects tourists to visit Bohol for the Sandugo Festival later this month despite the red tide alert, an official said.
The festival, set for July 22 to 27, coincides with the Tigum Bol-anon Tibuok Kalibutan (TBTK) on July 24 to 27, a gathering of Boholanos from all over the world.
Rowena Montecillo, regional director of DOT-7, said the hotels and resorts in Bohol are likely to be fully booked because of these two events.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and DOT have agreed to tie up for this year’s Sandugo Regional Trade Expo.
The theme this year is “Fun. Fabulous. Finds.”
DTI-7 regional director Asteria Caberte said this year’s trade expo will focus on travel retail.
“We’re doing something different this time. Tourists and tourism establishments are our focus,” she said in a press conference last week.
The fair will feature fashion accessories, fresh and processed food, furniture and wearables. As many as 100 exhibitors are expected to participate in the event, which will be held at The Block Island City Mall in Tagbilaran City, Bohol.
Several big market players, such as the Cebu Furniture Industries Foundation, Inc. (CFIF) and the Gift, Toys and Housewares Foundation (GTH) Manufacturers and Exporters will be among those who will be participating.
Caberte said they will also invite other groups such as the Cebu Association of Tour Operators. Hotels, resorts and tour operators have been requested to sell their destinations and tour packages made especially for the Sandugo Festival.
“There will be a line-up of new products, new things and new offerings—all the more reason to go,” she said.
Property owners and stakeholders in the tourism and travel retail industry will also be invited to look at the offerings in the trade fair.
Both DTI and DOT are requesting them to support the locally made products by having the items displayed in their hotels and resorts year-round.
This will also help the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) prepare for regional economic integration.
Bohol is still recovering from the 2013 earthquake that toppled centuries-old churches, destroyed bridges and roads, and altered its geographical landscape.
The disaster had forced Bohol’s tourism industry to come up with new attractions to draw the tourists back to the island.
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