Bohol eyes more Japan flights to strengthen tourism amid challenges

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol — Buoyed by the positive outcome of the maiden direct charter flight from Tokyo to Bohol, tourism and aviation stakeholders are pushing for stronger ties with the Japanese market while working together to address global challenges affecting the travel industry.

Representatives from Aboitiz InfraCapital, Bohol-Panglao International Airport (BPIA), JTB Asia Pacific Phil. Corp., and local tourism stakeholders met recently at the New Provincial Capitol for a post-assessment of the successful Tokyo–Bohol charter flight launched in May.

READ: Aboitiz takes over Bohol-Panglao airport

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Vice Governor Nick Besas, representing Governor Aris Aumentado, welcomed the delegation and led discussions on the flight’s impact on the province’s tourism sector. Participants shared positive feedback from Japanese visitors, who praised Bohol’s natural attractions, hospitality, and tourism readiness.

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Stakeholders also explored ways to sustain and expand charter flight operations, expressing optimism that continued collaboration could pave the way for more regular international flights linking Bohol with Japan and other key markets.

Aumentado, in a statement posted on his official Facebook page, welcomed the encouraging response from Japanese tourists and expressed hope that it would attract more international visitors to the province.

The discussions came amid growing concerns over the impact of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East on global aviation, prompting Aboitiz Infracapital Bohol Airport Corporation (Abac), operator of BPIA, to convene a Strategic Tourism Dialogue with leaders from the tourism, hospitality, travel, and aviation sectors.

The dialogue focused on the effects of volatile fuel supply conditions, rising operational costs, and shifting travel demand, factors that could influence airline operations, airfare prices, and destination competitiveness.

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Aldwin Uy, general manager of BPIA, emphasized the importance of collaboration in ensuring that Bohol remains a competitive and reliable destination despite external challenges affecting the global travel industry.

The dialogue gathered representatives from the Bohol Provincial Tourism Office, Bohol Provincial Tourism Council, Bohol Association of Resorts and Restaurants, Bohol Alliance of Travel and Tour Operators, and other aviation and hospitality stakeholders.

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Participants exchanged market intelligence and operational insights while identifying strategies to strengthen the resilience of Bohol’s tourism sector. Discussions included enhancing destination marketing, improving air connectivity, and attracting new source markets such as Japan.

Stakeholders also discussed developments surrounding the proposed revival of the whale shark experience, emphasizing sustainability, as well as efforts to support visa-free entry for Chinese tourists arriving through BPIA.

Joanne Pinat, head of the Bohol Provincial Tourism Office, said the dialogue provided a timely venue for government and industry leaders to align strategies that would help cushion the effects of global uncertainties while sustaining tourism growth.

The initiative forms part of Aboitiz InfraCapital Airports’ efforts to foster stronger partnerships across the tourism value chain and develop coordinated responses to external economic pressures.

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As Bohol continues to position itself as one of the country’s premier leisure destinations and a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) Global Geopark, stakeholders underscored the importance of maintaining strong partnerships to expand international connectivity, support tourism-driven economic growth, and ensure the long-term resilience of the province’s tourism industry. /jpv