Bohol's tourism 'far' from recovery a year after COVID-19 pandemic -governor

The province of Bohol is still "far" from recovering in terms of its tourism industry a year after the COVID-19 pandemic started, Governor Arthur Yap said on Saturday.

"Malayo pa tayo sa usaping 'bawi' (Bohol's tourism is still far away from totally recovering)," Yap said at the Laging Handa public briefing.

"Umaakyat na rin, pero napakalayo," (Visitors are on the rise, but it is still far away from a complete recovery) he added.

Yap mentioned that prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, about 30,000 travelers are going in and out of the province every month. But currently, only 1,000 to 1,500 visitors are going to the well-known island province known for its beaches, geological formations, and one of the world's smallest primates. 

Yap said the national vaccination program targeting 70 to 80 million Filipinos will serve as a "deal-maker" to bring the situation back to "normal" in terms of tourism and business.

As of Saturday, Yap said they have less than 250 cases and have maintained the figure for almost a year now, since they implemented a lockdown.

According to Yap, their COVID-19 cases rose every time there was also a surge in the National Capital Region (NCR) and in Cebu.

"Two weeks ago, were are at 100 cases, but it rose to 200 to 220 due to the cases in NCR and Cebu," he said partly in Filipino. -MDM, GMA News