"Bohol is the No.1 tourist destination in Central Visayas," Department of Tourism (DOT) Regional Director Rowena ontecillo has declared during Friday’s celebration of World Tourism Day held at the Bohol Cultural Center, this city. Themed "Tourism and Water, Protecting Our Common Future," the event focused on the protection of natural resources and in the utilization of natural wealth found in the environment. The DOT director praised Bohol for having a rich cultural heritage as well as a balanced eco-cultural tourism where the province can still boost modern technology when it comes head-to-head with age-old values and traditions. For his part, Bohol Gov. Edgar Chatto, co-author of the Tourism Act of 2009 when he was still in Congress representing the First District of Bohol, pointed out the importance of water, especially safe and potable water, in tourism, and glowed with pride seeing the eagerness and enthusiasm of the current generation in promoting Bohol's God-given gifts where "nothing compares" when seen through a Boholano's eyes.

"Safe water is tourism; safe water is our life, our advocacy," said Chatto during the event attended by students from the Bohol Island State University, Cristal-E College, Holy Name University, STI College, University of Bohol, Bohol Wisdom School and the Bohol Institute of Technology. During the celebration, a new set of officers of the Bohol Association of Tourism and Hospitality Educators (BATHE) was presented to Gov. Edgar M. Chatto and Montecillo, followed by a series of folk dances performed by the Lungsoranon Performing Arts Ensemble (LUPAE) of Tubigon. A healthy competition among students followed in each participants vied for being the Best Extemporaneous Speaker, Essay Writer and Digital Advertiser. The event was facilitated by the Bohol Tourism Office through its head, Josephine Cabarrus. (Janet Villarojo)