Foreign tourist arrivals boost 

Bohol tourism in 2025

By Elvira C. Bongosia

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA) — The province recorded 1,427,362 tourist arrivals in 2025, posting a 4.18% growth rate compared to the 2024 record.

Bohol Provincial Tourism Office (BPTO) Officer-in-Charge Joanne Pinat said the increase was achieved despite challenges, including national economic concerns, regional competition, and environmental pressures.

She noted that Bohol continues to show resilience and remains globally competitive as a tourism destination.

Domestic travelers accounted for 58.99% of total arrivals, but the segment declined 3.3% from 2024.

The BPTO attributed this to the shifting travel patterns, citing Department of Tourism data from January to October, which showed more Filipinos traveled abroad than foreign visitors entered the country during the same period.

The foreign market grew 14.75%, reflecting sustained international confidence in Bohol.

The top source markets were South Korea, China, the United States, Taiwan, and France, while Spain, Australia, and Russia posted the highest growth rates.

The diversification highlights Bohol’s expanding global reach despite fewer direct flights from Korea.

Officials credited the rise in European arrivals to the province’s active participation in international travel fairs and tourism missions.

Bohol’s designation as a UNESCO Global Geopark has further strengthened its profile as a premium and sustainable destination.

A major outcome of these efforts is the expected start of chartered flights from Japan in May, targeting high-value, and culturally-aligned markets consistent with the province’s Geopark positioning.

Recognized tourism leader

Among the country’s 82 provinces, Bohol has been cited by tourism stakeholders and international experts as the Best Tourism Destination Province in the Philippines.

“Bisan unsa pa kadaghang recognition nga nadawat nato, ang mga hagit sa turismo magpadayon. Ang pagdumala sa turismo responsibilidad sa tanan. Ang Bohol dili lang usa ka destinasyon, kundili usa ka modelo sa malungtarong kalamboan,” Pinat said.

(No matter how many recognitions we receive, tourism challenges will continue. Managing tourism is everyone’s responsibility. Bohol is not just a destination but a model of sustainable development.)

Bohol’s reputation as a Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) venue was reinforced by its selection to host high-level international events, including ASEAN meetings this year, affirming that the province’s security, infrastructure, and services meet regional standards.

The Chocolate Hills Complex in Carmen remained the most visited site, followed by the Quinale Beach in Anda, reflecting efforts to spread tourism beyond Panglao Island and promote development in other towns.

The accommodation sector also expanded, with 1,034 establishments registered in 2025, up from 976 in 2024. The share of accredited establishments rose from 20% to 25%, indicating improved compliance with quality and service standards.

2026 outlook

For 2026, BPTO said Bohol will focus on tourism product development, strengthening geotourism circuits, gastronomy, culture, heritage, and arts trails, and expanding regenerative and community-based tourism. Efforts will also include market diversification through influencer engagement and expanded MICE activities.

The BPTO said partnerships with government and private stakeholders will continue to guide tourism development initiatives in the province. (ECB/PIA7-Bohol)

The Chocolate Hills Complex remains Bohol’s most visited tourist site, based on data from the Bohol Provincial Tourism Office, followed by Quinale Beach, reflecting efforts to expand tourism beyond Panglao Island and promote development in other parts of the province. (ECB/PIA7-Bohol)

For upscaling MSMEs

SEC continues to offer

Discounts for MSMEs

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA)—In support for the growth of micros, small and medium enterprises (MSME) and their development as well as in its commitment to push the growth of small business investments, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) continues with its discounted rates for certain transactions for MSMEs.

MSMEs, which spur the economies in rural areas ought to get the necessary support, and SEC Memorandum Circular No. 8, Series of 2025, essentially does that, hints SEC Region 7 information Officer Dione Drew Diano, at the Kapihan sa PIA recently.

MSMEs seeking to upscale their operations and register as a corporation can get a 20 percent discount on registration fees until the end of 2025, according to the MC issues in July last year. Now, they can still get the same discount when SEC extended the deadline until March 31, 2026.

As our way of supporting the growth of MSMEs, we are offering discounts tin the rates of their filing fees, that is 20 percent discount, if they register as a corporation, Diano said.

Or for MSMS who still could not go public as yet, there is a 50 percent discount for their registration of securities for MSMEs, to seek further hassles when seeking additional capital, and this stays on until June 30, 2026, the SEC official hinted.

According to the SEC website: for MSMEs to avail of the discount, they have to be classifies to belong to those whose capitalization does not exceed P3 million for micro enterprises, from P3 M to 15 million capitalization for small enterprises.

For medium enterprises, they have to have assets between P15 million to P100 million.

So, for these MSMEs we encourage them to register now so they can avail of the discount and other benefits, Diano added.

In reports, SEC chairperson Francis Lim said the policy on the discounted rates for MSMEs represents the commission’s strong resolve to help bring down the barriers to entry of small businesses to ensure they can grow, thrive and continuously contribute to economic growth.

He also assured that the SEC would continue to assess its rules and policies to see where it can provide further assistance to stakeholders, consistent with the goal of empowering MSMEs and the overall corporate sector to become catalysts for economic growth. (PIABohol)

DON’T MISS THE CHANCE. SEC 7 Information officer Dione Drew Diano urges MSMES wanting to go into larger operations and become a corporation, to avail of the offer and get the benefits. (PIAbohol)