The Philippines saw its tourism sector account for 8.6% of the nation’s GDP in 2023, underscoring its vital role in the country’s economic landscape.
In line with this, tourism also plays a key role in Bohol’s economy, with the province generating ₱182.41 billion in Gross Domestic Product and accounting for 13.2% of Central Visayas’ Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) in the same year. It recorded the third-highest GDP growth among the region’s provinces and cities, trailing Cebu Province (29.8%) and Cebu City (22.6%).
In 2023, Bohol exceeded its tourism target, attracting over 1 million visitors, contributing approximately ₱75.6 billion in tourism receipts. Of this number, around 67% were local travelers, while 33% were international tourists.
The rise of eco-conscious tourism
An increasing number of travelers are becoming more mindful of their environmental impact. Research from Booking.com reveals that 76% of tourists are eager to adopt more sustainable travel practices.
In the Philippines, the Department of Tourism (DOT) is promoting sustainable practices like the ANAHAW Philippine Sustainable Tourism Certification. Created with the EU’s support, this certification focuses on improving the efficiency of accommodation businesses. Launched in 2018, it aims to guide the industry towards sustainability and includes the ANAHAW Awards, similar to the ASEAN Green Hotel Awards.
In Bohol, tourism is deeply connected to the environment. The island province is renowned for its Chocolate Hills, a unique geological formation of over 1,200 grassy mounds that turn brown in the dry season.. Other ecotourism attractions include the Tarsier Sanctuary, home to the world’s smallest primates, the picturesque Loboc River, and the pristine Panglao Island known for its white sandy beaches and vibrant marine life.
Additionally, Bohol is the country’s first UNESCO Global Geopark because of its unique history spanning 150 million years, shaped by tectonic shifts that lifted it from the ocean. UNESCO Global Geoparks focus on conservation, education, and sustainable development, engaging local communities in preserving sites of global geological importance.
Bohol’s first and biggest standalone solar plant
Boosting Bohol’s tourism is the Dagohoy Solar Power Project (DSPP), the province’ first large-scale solar farm, inaugurated on Nov. 21, 2024. Developed by PetroGreen Energy Corp., it spans over 22 hectares in Barangays San Vicente and Sta. Cruz. Featuring 40,628 solar panels, it generates 41,000 MWh annually, utilizing bifacial technology for maximum efficiency.
The renewable energy supplies electricity to around 18,000 households and key tourist attractions, such as the Chocolate Hills and the Tarsier Sanctuary.
The advanced solar panels designed to withstand extreme conditions, ensure long-term reliability. With high energy output and minimal degradation, they lower maintenance costs while maintaining efficiency in weather-sensitive areas, such as Bohol’s ecotourism sites.
The DSPP is vital to Bohol’s eco-friendly initiatives, cutting carbon emissions by 28,642 metric tons each year. Its construction generated over 600 jobs, stimulating local employment and business growth.
During the solar plant’s inauguration, Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado stated, “This event marks a significant step towards achieving energy self-sufficiency…as the provincial government continually strives to ensure a secure supply of power for Bohol’s households, businesses, and industries.”
Bohol currently relies on Leyte for its electricity supply. As a tourist hotspot, it meets 47% of its 28 MW peak demand, with projections reaching 113 MW by 2043.
(Also read: Sogod, Cebu to Host 100-Megawatt Solar Farm by Korean Firm)
Sources:
https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/557305/bohol-welcomed-more-than-a-million-tourists-in-2023
https://www.unesco.org/en/iggp/geoparks/bohol-island
https://tribune.net.ph/2025/01/23/dspp-energizes-bohols-havens