Tourism. It’s not just about a trip to a place. Beyond a destination, there are always new cultures to observe, ways of life to learn about and from. The key to attracting tourists and winning their hearts lies not just in the natural beauty of a place but also in her gentle, welcoming people. In very similar words, Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia welcomed delegates and guests to the first ever Philippine International Tourism Fair (PITF) held in Mandaue City over a week ago, underscoring the key role the local population plays in creating a top tourism destination.
Bohol, the current white-hot buzz word in the travel trade both here and abroad, made very good use of the headways in recent years in the local tourism sector by fielding a strong delegation to the international event. The Boholano contingent—led and assembled by the Bohol Provincial Government through its Tourism Office (under the helm of the dynamic Baby Balio)—included reps from the island’s busiest resorts, restaurants, travel agencies and other tourist-based establishments.
Spotted at the busy Bohol cluster of booths were: the gracious Vicky Wallace of Bohol Bee Farm assisted by marketing agent Resti Tejido and interior design genius Brang Alvarez; Amarela Beach Resort’s owner Atty. Doy Nunag and his booth’s designer, pretty daughter Bianca, with their front office staff; Eskaya Beach Resort and Spa’s lady boss Phoebe Baquial-Lim and sales exec Rene Divino; Amorita Resort’s chirpy owner Marivic Hernandez with fun and articulate GM Rocky Jorolan; mega successful entrepreneur Paz Trotin of Bohol Diver’s Resort; and Kag. Tonypet Ouano of Pandanon Island Resort in Getafe.
One level below, the Philippine Travel Exchange was also being staged. Here we saw Bohol Beach Club’s Fe Ginete, Angel’s Wing’s Sarah Jao-Dejaresco, Lourdes Sultan of The Travel Village and Ron Garrido of 4Bs Travel busy selling Bohol resorts, services and packages to over a hundred big-time travel buyers from around the world.
Bohol Association of Hotels, Resorts and Restaurants (BAHRR) personalities Jun Caturza of JJ’s Seafood Village and Merva Budlong of Water Paradise Resort were also around to lend their support. Ditto for Peter Dejaresco, head of the Bohol Tourism Council, diver-contractor Holger Horn, travel agent Nonette Bolo, smart and no-nonsense Jo Remolador-Cabarrus along with the other pretty muses from the tourism office Orie Navarro, Gina Kapirig, their handsome gent Chito Vano, and Vida May Tirol who emceed the program during the fab well-attended ‘Blazing Bohol’ cocktails (in contrast to the lackluster Boracay presentation of the previous day). Food and drinks during the Bohol presentation was provided by Port of Waterfront Hotel.
The booth commissioned by the Province of Bohol was one of the most photographed. Ms. Balio and Boy Dumadag conceptualized a living, life-size diorama, giving exhibition viewers an interactive sensory Bol-anon experience. Ramp model and HNU tourism stude Michael Sepe and photographic model Grace Celedes rode a bamboo raft on a silken olive green river dramatically flanked by graceful nipa fronds, reeds and tropical flowers. The sound of frogs, birds and running water continuously played in the background as the glorious scent of flowers from an essence-burning pot wafted through the air. The scene could have been any of the thousands of secluded coves dotting the many tributaries snaking through our island. People got drawn. They sniffed, ogled, listened, touched the flowers and leaves, picked brochures, inquired and took pictures, most of the time with themselves front and center.
It won’t be long before we’ll see them again, this time as they enjoy the real deal—up close and personal—through a unique experience that can only be Bohol.
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