Revving up one of the country’s beyond the usual tour packages, the Department of Tourism (DOT) welcomed professional bikers from Switzerland led by Chris Schnelli of Bike Adventure Tours. The group rode the trails of Bohol on a 14-day tour.
“Cyclotourism is just one of our specialized packages that highlight the many tourism facets of our country. It’s an emerging adventure activity that is expected to boost a new set of tourists to the country,” said Tourism Secretary Ace Durano.
“This is just one of the five biking tours slated to visit Bohol in the first half of this year. From professionals to beginners, bike enthusiasts from all over the world rave about our verdant and diverse trails of forests and rice paddies; swamps and rivers. Aside from the sights, they also get to experience our culture, interacting with communities in their day-to-day livelihood and local customs,” added Eduardo Jarque., Jr., Undersecretary for Tourism Planning and Promotions.
The group of professional cyclists pedalled their way through Bohol, passing through a heavy forest to reach the mystic Magaso Falls in Antequera, the Tarsier Sanctuary in Corella, and the Hanging Bridge in the town of Sevilla where they also packed their bikes and drove through Rizal and Makapiko river in Batuan town until they reached Bohol’s most renowned natural attraction, the Chocolate Hills.
The Bike Tour resumed as they went to Sierra Bullones following the tributary river of Iwahig, passing the mountain highway of Mayana down to the towns of Jagna and Valencia where they rode alongside the stretch of Bohol’s breathtaking coastline.
The group continued on through the nipa swamps of Loay before heading to Baclayon for a brief exploration of the town’s century-old heritage houses and churches. They stayed overnight at the enchanting Panglao Island.
The European guests were also treated to Dolphin Watching in an outrigger boat bound as they passed through Siquijor going to Cebu where they spent a day of rest and relaxation in the famed romantic island of Badian.
Director Verna Buensuceso, Team Europe Head, said, “Schnelli is also one of our foreign buyers in the Philippine Travel Exchange. Our presence in travel fairs, coupled with strong advertising and marketing support for bike tours will propel our country as a cyclist’s top destination.”
