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Cabinet execs back ‘Bohol bubbles’ to stir tourism economy

By Angeline Valencia

July 30, 2020, 3:03 pm

<p><strong>BOHOL BUBBLES.</strong> Governor Arthur Yap (top) explains the objectives for the implementation of the "Bohol bubbles", a multisector-initiated tourism strategy in re-churning the province's economy that has earned support from three Cabinet secretaries. Alan Santos, manager of Bohol Beach Club, explains further the dynamics of strategy, in a stakeholders' meeting on Wednesday (July 29, 2020). (<em>Photo by Angeline Valencia)</em></p>

BOHOL BUBBLES. Governor Arthur Yap (top) explains the objectives for the implementation of the "Bohol bubbles", a multisector-initiated tourism strategy in re-churning the province's economy that has earned support from three Cabinet secretaries. Alan Santos, manager of Bohol Beach Club, explains further the dynamics of strategy, in a stakeholders' meeting on Wednesday (July 29, 2020). (Photo by Angeline Valencia)

TAGBILARAN CITY – Three Cabinet members are helping in the creation of “Bohol bubbles”, a multisector initiated strategy in tuning up the tourism economy of the province, Governor Arthur Yap said on Thursday.

Yap said the province is preparing for the visit of Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año and Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu on Friday.

He said the three officials are committed to help the provincial government re-churn the tourism industry here.

The governor and members of the Bohol Association of Hotels, Resorts and Restaurants (BAHRR) discussed in a meeting the possibility of coming up with the said strategy as the Philippines considers “travel bubbles” to stir the economy.

"Travel bubbles" are corridors that are considered as safe from coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

The output presented to the governor on Wednesday was the initiative of the Provincial Tourism Council (PTC) with the Bohol Tourism Office (BTO). BAHRR is part of the Executive Committee of PTC.

Impressed by how Bohol managed the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) situation, DOT eyes Bohol as a candidate travel bubble destination.

The governor, however, wants to be certain on two crucial matters about reopening the province to visitors -- to convince visitors that it is safe to come to Bohol and to convince Boholanos that it is safe to welcome visitors.

Yap had earlier explained to Puyat that while Bohol is interested in joining the travel bubble, this has to be studied thoroughly because the safety of Boholanos is paramount.

He also pointed out that reopening Bohol to visitors has to be harmonized with the anti-Covid-19 strategies of the province.

Bohol now has one containerized molecular laboratory that is up for commissioning and may be ready for operation by middle of August. The Sangguniang Panlalawigan may also approve the purchase of one more testing machine.

The Governor Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital is also preparing its own Covid-19 testing laboratory.

The provincial government and the tourism sector are now finalizing what had been discussed in the meeting in preparation for the visit here of Puyat, Año and Cimatu on Friday.

During the meeting, the governor and the tourism stakeholders tackled the plan of BAHRR and PTC to have a seamless tourism experience and the creation of “Bohol bubbles” while dealing with safe tourism corridors through excellent management of Covid-19. (PNA)

 

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