Bohol, one of the country’s a world-renowned tourist destination, may soon boost its tourist arrivals with the creation of a new web application.
The Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCIEERD) and the Bohol Island State University (BISU)-Balilihan Campus launched a digital solution, the Laag Bohol Web-App: Enhancing Tour Guides and Tourists’ Experience, on July 23, in Tagbilaran City, Bohol.
The new tourism web-app, developed by researchers in BISU, brings tourists, tour guides, operators, transport providers, and tourism authorities into one smarter, more connected platform.
It aims to improve access to tourism services, strengthen professional tour guiding, gather visitor feedback, and support evidence-based tourism planning.
‘Through the Laag Bohol web-app, tourism officials can use real-time data on visitor needs and experiences to improve services, make better decisions, and support sustainable growth,’ Science Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. said.
‘This is the kind of technology we want for Filipinos-innovation that solves real problems and creates opportunities for communities,’ Soilidum added.
The platform features Bohol tourism data management, data analytics, a centralized directory of verified tour guides and operators, online training modules for tour guides, direct access to tourism services, visitor feedback collection, and promotional content for Bohol destinations.
The features are expected to support easier access to verified tourism services, better-trained tour guides, smarter tourism planning, and a stronger image for Bohol as a smart destination.
The project amounting to P1 million is funded by the DOST-PCIEERD through its Regional Research Institution (RRI) Program, with a P150,000 counterpart from BISU.
The Department of Economy, Planning and Development’s (DepDev) reported that tourist arrivals in Bohol dropped by 59 percent to 170,016 from 417,142 in the previous year, with domestic arrivals falling by 73 percent and foreign arrivals declining by 40 percent.
Bohol, a Unesco Global Geopark, is one of the country’s major tourist destinations. It is known for its natural landscapes, cultural heritage, biodiversity, and community-based tourism.
‘Through our [RRI] Program, we support researchers in developing solutions that can create tangible benefits for communities and industries. What began as a research initiative at [BISU] has evolved into a digital platform with the potential to strengthen tourism services, support evidence-based decision-making, and contribute to the long-term competitiveness of the tourism sector,’ said Engr. Ninaliza H. Escorial, DOST-PCIEERD Deputy Executive Director and OIC.