Seoul, 15 November 2018 - Philippine Ambassador to South Korea, His Excellency Raul S. Hernandez and Madame Maria Ana A. Hernandez, led a successful familiarization tour of Bohol, Philippines on 8-12 November 2018 with thirty (30) participants from the diplomatic and business communities of Korea, including the Ambassador of Greece, Amb. Ifigeneia Kontoleontos, as well as diplomats from Portugal and South Africa.

The familiarization tour to Bohol, which is the sixth tour organized by the Embassy, is part of the Embassy's unrelenting efforts to promote tourism destinations in the country apart from the already famous destinations such as Cebu and Boracay. The familiarization tour is also in line with the Department of Tourism's "It's more fun in the Philippines" campaign and capitalizes on the influence of the participants in promoting the country as a premier tourist destination. The tour also provided a platform for the Embassy as well as the local government of Bohol to highlight to the Korean businessmen and investors the various business opportunities in the province.

The tour featured various renowned sites of Bohol such as the pristine beaches of Virgin Island, the rich marine species in Balicasag Island, the powdery white sand of Alona Beach, the Tarsier Conservation Area, and the world-famous Chocolate Hills. The visit to Bohol's countryside was capped by a sumptuous seafood buffet onboard one of the floating restaurants that cruised the idyllic Loboc River. After the Loboc river cruise, the tour also included a private 40-minute performance by the internationally-acclaimed Loboc Children's Choir. The participants were treated to the Choir's rendition of heartwarming and inspiring songs including a medley of pieces from the musical "Les Miserables," traditional Filipino songs, modern English songs, and the famous South Korean folk song, "Arirang."

Aside from showcasing Bohol's breathtaking beauty, the tour also afforded the participants a chance to feast on Filipino dishes, including a wide array of local seafoods. From the welcome dinner hosted by Governor Edgardo Chatto at the Bellevue Hotel in Tagbilaran to the luncheon organized by the Department of Tourism's Regional Office at Bohol Bee Farm, the participants tremendously enjoyed the variety of Filipino dishes that were especially prepared for them.

In their free time, the participants enjoyed the facilities at the luxurious Hennan Resort where they were also billeted. Apart from lounging in the resort's beachfront in Alona beach, the members of the tour group also spent hours in Hennan's three crystalline pools. And to ease their tired muscles, everyone was treated to a one-hour full body massage at one of the local spas in Panglao Island.

The familiarization tour to Bohol is a project of the Philippine Embassy in Seoul, in cooperation with Philippine Department of Tourism and the Tourism Promotions Board. The Office of Governor Chatto also extended significant assistance to the group throughout the tour. The tour's itinerary was organized by Achim Tour. END