Business · Philippines Bureau
Bohol official calls for probe into Balicasag Island tour guide fees
A Bohol provincial board member has urged an investigation into how Department of Tourism-accredited tour guides are collecting environmental and entrance fees at Balicasag Island, saying the province needs uniform fee collection policies across all tourism sites.
LSN Philippines ·
TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol – Lawyer Jiselle Rae Aumentado Villamor, chairperson of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan's tourism committee, has called for a comprehensive inquiry into the collection of environmental and entrance fees from DOT-accredited tour guides bringing visitors to Balicasag Island in Panglao town.
Villamor cited inconsistencies in how fees are being collected and distributed, noting that the lack of clear guidelines has created confusion among tour operators and may be affecting local tourism revenue. She emphasized the need for standardized policies governing fee collection across the province's major tourist destinations to ensure transparency and consistency.
Balicasag Island, a popular diving and snorkeling destination off Panglao, has seen increased visitor traffic in recent years. The inquiry aims to clarify which agencies or entities are authorized to collect fees, how much should be charged, and where revenues are being directed.
The provincial board member's push for the investigation underscores broader concerns about governance and revenue management in Bohol's tourism sector as the province seeks to position itself as a premier destination in the Visayas region.