The island province of Bohol is riding a powerful new tourism wave in 2025, with 1.4 million visitor arrivals and a surge in bookings from South Korea, the United States and Australia reshaping local air routes, hotel occupancies and investment plans. As international travel normalizes and Bohol’s profile rises as the Philippines’ first and only UNESCO Global Geopark, the destination is rapidly evolving from a domestic favorite into a serious contender in the Asia Pacific beach-and-nature circuit.
A Record 1.4 Million Arrivals Signal a New Chapter for Bohol
Bohol’s tourism sector is entering 2025 from a position of strength. After passing the one million mark in 2023, the province closed 2024 with around 1.4 million tourist arrivals, according to provincial figures and Philippine statistics data. That performance continued into 2025, with the Bohol Provincial Tourism Office reporting more than 1.42 million visitor arrivals for the full year, a 4.18 percent increase compared with 2024.
The numbers are significant for a largely rural island province best known in the past for its Chocolate Hills, tarsiers and relaxed coastal towns. Tourism officials describe the 1.4 million threshold as a psychological as well as economic milestone, indicating that Bohol’s recovery from the pandemic slump has moved past the rebound stage into a more sustainable growth phase.
While domestic travelers still account for a majority of arrivals, their share has slipped as foreign markets come back in force. Local tourism authorities note that international visitors are not only returning in greater numbers, but are also staying longer and spending more. This shift is reshaping the industry’s structure, from airline schedules to hotel development strategies.
Behind the topline figures lies a deeper story: Bohol’s deliberate positioning as a high-value, sustainability-led island, coupled with improving international air links, has helped it capture growing interest from markets that traditionally focused on larger hubs like Cebu or Boracay. In 2025, that strategy is paying off most visibly in three key source countries: South Korea, the United States and Australia.
South Korea Leads the Pack, Even Amid Market Volatility
South Korea has firmly established itself as Bohol’s dominant foreign source market. As early as 2023, Korean visitors made up more than 40 percent of all international arrivals to the province, supported by a web of direct flights into Bohol Panglao International Airport. That momentum continued into 2024 and 2025, with Koreans consistently topping the list of foreign guests in Panglao’s accommodation statistics.
Data from the Panglao Municipal Tourism Office for the first quarter of 2025 showed South Korea as the leading non-resident market, far ahead of other Asian and Western countries. Even as local media reported some softening in Korean arrivals in mid-2025 compared to the record surge the year before, Koreans remain the backbone of Bohol’s foreign tourism, particularly for beach resorts on Panglao Island.
Industry insiders say the Korean market has matured in Bohol. What began as a largely group-tour and low-cost charter segment is evolving into a blend of packaged holidays, independent travelers and niche markets such as diving, wellness and destination weddings. Resorts report more repeat guests from Seoul and Busan, as well as a growing number of multigenerational family groups booking longer stays, often combining Bohol with short city breaks in Manila or Cebu.
Travel agents in Bohol add that even temporary dips in Korean arrivals are viewed in context: the base has grown so dramatically since pre-pandemic times that the market remains extremely valuable. Carriers and hoteliers are now focusing on yield management, higher-quality experiences and off-peak promotions to smooth out seasonal fluctuations and maintain healthy load factors.
United States and Australia Emerge as High-Value Growth Markets
While Koreans drive volume, travelers from the United States and Australia are increasingly driving value. Tourism officials describe both countries as “high-yield” markets, with visitors typically staying longer, choosing mid- to upscale accommodation and spending more on tours, diving, dining and cultural experiences than the average regional short-haul tourist.
The United States has been one of the Philippines’ consistently strong long-haul markets, and Bohol is now capturing a larger share of that flow. Figures from Panglao for early 2025 place the US among the top foreign markets by headcount, but more importantly, local resorts note that Americans are booking more extended vacations of one to two weeks instead of quick weekend trips. Many are overseas Filipinos returning with family members, blending heritage travel with classic island-hopping holidays.
Australia, for its part, is benefiting from broader improvements in Philippine connectivity and changing travel patterns. Data presented by tourism officials show a regional rise in Australian arrivals to the country, helped by improved air links and aggressive marketing. Bohol, with its relaxed beach culture and strong diving credentials, has positioned itself as a natural fit for Australian travelers seeking alternatives to more commercialized Asian beach destinations.
Resort managers report that Australian and American guests are increasingly visible in premium beachfront properties and dive resorts on Panglao and nearby islands. These guests often book higher room categories, organize private excursions and show strong interest in environmental tours and community-based activities. That trend is encouraging investors to consider new mid- to high-end developments catering specifically to North American and Australian expectations of space, service and sustainability.
Airlines Add Capacity as Panglao Airport Comes Into Its Own
The story of Bohol’s international tourism surge is also the story of its young airport. Bohol Panglao International Airport, which replaced the old Tagbilaran facility, has become the province’s gateway to the world, and airlines have quickly seized the opportunity. As early as 2024, the airport was handling more than a hundred flights per week, including dozens of international services from South Korea and chartered flights from China.
At one point, five direct flights each day were arriving from South Korea alone, operated by carriers including Jeju Air, Air Busan and Royal Air. Combined with daily services from Manila and regular flights from Cebu, Davao and El Nido, the network has made Bohol more accessible than ever to both domestic and foreign visitors. Additional airlines from Northeast Asia have signaled interest in mounting services to Panglao, viewing the airport as a promising secondary gateway in the central Philippines.
Although flight frequencies have adjusted with market conditions, particularly as Korean arrivals normalized after a post-pandemic spike, the overall trend in 2025 is towards sustained international connectivity. Airport management and tourism authorities continue to pursue new routes and charter agreements, with particular interest in attracting more services that would support growth from Australia and North America, whether through direct flights or improved one-stop connections.
For travelers, this capacity translates into more choice and, often, more competitive fares. For Bohol’s tourism sector, it creates a virtuous cycle: improved access draws more visitors, which in turn justifies further airline investment. The province is now firmly on the radar of regional aviation planners, no longer as a niche side trip, but as a primary holiday destination that can fill planes year-round.
Hotels, Resorts and Homestays Race to Meet Demand
The surge in visitor numbers and the diversification of source markets have sent a clear signal to Bohol’s accommodation sector. From 2023 onwards, room bookings on Panglao and nearby islands have climbed steadily, with spikes around major holidays and special events. By 2025, many beachfront resorts report high occupancy across much of the year, particularly in properties popular with Korean, American and Australian guests.
This demand is fueling a pipeline of new and upgraded accommodation. On prime stretches of Alona Beach and in quieter coves further along Panglao’s southern coast, investors are renovating older properties or building new ones aimed at the upper midscale and boutique segments. Swimming pools, modern fitness facilities and dive centers are now standard in many newly built or refurbished resorts, reflecting the expectations of long-haul markets.
At the same time, Bohol is cultivating a broader range of places to stay beyond high-end beachfront properties. Smaller hotels in Tagbilaran City, budget lodges near transport hubs and family-run homestays in countryside towns are benefiting from spillover demand. Some American and Australian travelers, in particular, are showing interest in more immersive stays that combine beach time with inland exploration, opening opportunities for eco-lodges and farm-based accommodation in areas close to the Chocolate Hills or river systems.
Hotel booking platforms and travel agencies report that foreign guests are increasingly comfortable booking Bohol as a standalone destination for a week or more, rather than as a short extension to Cebu or Manila. This shift lengthens the average stay, which has direct benefits for local employment and small businesses supplying resorts, from food producers to dive operators and tour guides.
UNESCO Geopark Status Boosts Bohol’s Global Profile
One of the most powerful marketing tools in Bohol’s arsenal is its recognition as the Philippines’ first and only UNESCO Global Geopark. This distinction, centered on the island’s unique geological formations and landscapes, underscores what travelers from South Korea, the United States and Australia are increasingly seeking: meaningful, nature-rich experiences that go beyond sun and sand.
Geopark status has helped reposition Bohol in international travel media and search platforms, pushing it into lists of emerging or “trending” destinations worldwide. Travel trend reports have named Panglao and Bohol among the world’s most sought-after beach locations, putting the province in the same conversations as far more established Asian islands. For long-haul travelers planning multi-country itineraries, the UNESCO label acts as both a reassurance of quality and a magnet for curiosity.
The provincial government and tourism stakeholders are working to align development with the principles behind that recognition. Trails, viewpoints and river corridors are being enhanced with better signage, visitor facilities and safety measures, while environmental regulations on coastal construction and marine protection are gradually being tightened. For travelers, this means improved access to attractions such as the Chocolate Hills, cave systems, rivers and mangrove areas, paired with a stronger focus on conservation.
For international markets that place growing importance on sustainability, including many visitors from Australia and the US, such measures are increasingly part of the decision-making process. Bohol’s branding as a “regenerative island” resonates with these travelers, who are more likely to choose destinations perceived as responsible and forward-looking, and to support local operators who prioritize low-impact tourism.
Challenges Amid Growth: Volatility, Climate and Infrastructure Pressure
Despite the upbeat headlines, Bohol’s tourism boom comes with challenges. The same figures that showcase recovery also underline the sector’s vulnerability to external shocks. Local reports in 2025 noted a decline in Korean arrivals compared to the extraordinary surge seen the previous year, attributed partly to changing travel tastes, currency movements and competition from other short-haul destinations in Southeast and East Asia.
Climate and weather-related disruptions remain a persistent risk. Bohol, like much of the central Philippines, has experienced typhoons and heavy rainfall events that can temporarily shut down sea crossings, disrupt flights and damage coastal infrastructure. Tourism stakeholders are increasingly aware that resilient building standards, better drainage and clear evacuation protocols are not optional extras but essential investments in a climate-vulnerable archipelago.
Infrastructure pressure is another concern. As visitor numbers rise and bookings from high-spending markets increase, questions are being raised about carrying capacity on popular beaches, water and waste management on small islands, and the ability of narrow roads to accommodate both tourism transport and local traffic. Residents in parts of Panglao and Tagbilaran have expressed worries about congestion and rising costs of living in high-demand zones.
Provincial authorities say the answer lies in managing growth rather than curbing it. Plans under discussion include stricter zoning for coastal development, incentives for tourism projects in less-visited areas inland, and continued investment in roads, ports and utilities that serve both tourists and local communities. The success of Bohol’s tourism strategy over the next decade will depend on how effectively it balances booming demand with the needs of residents and the environment.
What the Surge Means for Travelers Planning a Trip
For visitors from South Korea, the United States and Australia, Bohol’s current growth phase translates into a destination that feels both discovered and still authentic. Improved air connections into Panglao make it easier than ever to reach the island, whether as a quick escape from Manila or Cebu, or as the centerpiece of a longer regional journey. Once on the ground, travelers will find a maturing hospitality scene, with more choice across price points and styles than even a few years ago.
However, the popularity surge also means that planning matters. Peak holiday periods and long weekends in the Philippines can see high occupancy on Panglao’s main beaches, with preferred room categories snapped up well in advance. International travelers, especially those from long-haul markets, are increasingly advised to secure flights and accommodations early, particularly if they are targeting specific resorts, dive operators or villa rentals.
The upside of Bohol’s tourism evolution is the growing variety of experiences available. Beyond classic island-hopping and beach days, visitors can now weave together geopark-focused excursions, river cruises, countryside cycling, cave exploration and cultural visits to historic churches and town centers. Operators are responding to demand from foreign guests for curated itineraries that highlight both iconic attractions and lesser-known spots.
For travelers weighing Bohol against other Southeast Asian islands, the 2025 arrival figures and robust airline and hotel bookings send a clear message: this is a destination in its prime, with enough infrastructure and professional services to deliver a comfortable stay, yet still small and laid-back enough to feel personal. As South Koreans, Americans and Australians increasingly flock to its shores, Bohol is poised to remain one of the region’s standout island stories in the years ahead.