DOT inaugurates 1st Tourist Rest Area in Bohol

DAUIS, Bohol, December 4 (PIA)--The Department of Tourism (DOT) inaugurated the first Tourist Rest Area (TRA) in Bohol located at Barangay Poblacion in Dauis town on December 2, 2023.

Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco led the launching and official turn over along with the Gregory Oller and Jetro Nicolas Lozada, assistant chief operation officers of the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA).

One of the flagship programs of DOT, the TRA is grounded on the department's vision to provide convenience and comfort to tourists.

The facility offers clean restrooms for tourists in transit to the different tourist destinations in the province.

It also has a coffee shop, pasalubong and souvenir store, tourist information area, and charging station.

“This TRA provides convenience sa atong mga turista aron malipayon ug hamugaway ang ilang biyahe (for our tourists for them to have a hassle-free travel). It has a comfortable lounge, a pasalubong center to support local businesses and MSMEs so that they can sell their products,” Frasco said.

The TRA will cater to tourists passing through Dauis, a coastal town which serves as a gateway to multiple tourist destinations in the province such as the Alona Beach in Panglao, Virgin Island Sandbar, Balicasag Island, and the historic Baclayon Church.

Dauis is one of the two municipalities comprising Panglao Island, the other being Panglao.

Tourism infrastructure

She explained that the TRA addresses the number one concern of tourists based on a survey that showed that 92 percent of tourists cited the lack of clean and decent restrooms in tourism areas.

According to the DOT Secretary, the tourism direction under the leadership of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. recognizes the need for a strong foundation.

“One of the specific objectives to strengthen tourism is to focus on infrastructure that is critical to tourism development,” Frasco said.

She bared that the national government views Bohol as a gem and a source of national pride.

The DOT chief cited Bohol’s accomplishment in establishing itself as a sustainable ecotourism destination after it was declared as the Philippines’ first UNESCO Global Geopark.

Frasco also announced the upcoming procurement phase for the rehabilitation of the Alona seawall, which she inspected together with Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado during the groundbreaking of the Dauis TRA in December of last year.

In her message during the launching ceremony, she also reported other DOT initiatives, such as the launch of the Tourism Promotions Board Travel Philippines mobile app, the tourist assistance call center, and DOT’s partnership with the Department of Transportation on the expansion of the country’s domestic and international flight portfolio.

More TRAs

Provincial Administrator Asteria Caberte, who represented Aumentado during the launching, welcomed the addition to the province’s tourism facilities.

She thanked the DOT and TIEZA for this investment that she said will help elevate the province’s edge as a prime tourist destination.

Caberte said the TRA facility is also in line with the province’s strategic governance agenda on sustainable tourism.

According to Frasco, 18 more TRAs will be built across the country in 2024.

Of the total, two more will be built in Bohol - one in Tagbilaran City and another in Carmen town - as part of the commitment of DOT.

During the program, Frasco also awarded tour guide kits to 15 DOT-accredited tour guides in Bohol. (ECB/PIA7-Bohol)

DOT Sec. Christina Garcia Frasco (center, front row) leads the inauguration of the first Tourist Rest Area in Bohol at Brgy. Poblacion, Dauis on Dec. 2, 2023. (ECB/PIA7-Bohol)