Not now that Smart Communications, Inc. has increased network coverage to include all of Bohol’s 47 municipalities as well as Tagbilaran City.
"This is part of Smart’s commitment to provide mobile communications to all municipalities in the country," says engineer Menchie Quinal, Smart Network Services Assurance head for the Visayas-Mindanao.
Subscribers of Smart Gold, Buddy, Talk ’N Text, Infinity, Addict Mobile and Smart Kid who live in Bohol as well as those visiting the island-province can stay connected with family and friends anytime, anywhere.
Bohol, the 10th largest island in the country, has gained prominence in the tourism industry after it was named by the Department of Tourism as the Kalakbay Awardee for Best Destination in 2002 and 2003.
Along with Cebu, Bohol accounts for the most number of domestic and foreign tourist arrivals in the country also due to its proximity to the Cebu International Airport where direct flights connect Cebu to and from other countries in the world.
Bohol is located about 70 kilometers southeast of Cebu’s Mactan Island or about an hour and 20 minutes away by fastcraft, and about 700 kilometers directly south of Manila. Flights from Manila to Tagbilaran City take about an hour and 20 minutes.
But what really draws tourists to Bohol is the variety of experiences. Tourists can opt to go snorkeling, swimming and scuba diving in the white sand beaches and seas rich in marine life in the islands of Panglao, Pamilacan and Balicasag.
Those who prefer to stay on the mainland can visit the 1,268 perfectly cone-shaped Chocolate Hills and view the tarsier, the smallest primate in the world. Visitors can also tour centuries-old churches that can be found in almost every town, with the oldest in Baclayon. The province also features a man-made forest and the largest mangrove plantation in Asia.
All these experiences have been brought closer to more people via mobile communications, says Quinal, since increased coverage has allowed tourists "more mobility and access to services through their cellphones."
Vehicle operators on Panglao Island are now just a call away from tourists staying in the resorts. The same goes for operators of pumpboats that take the visitors dolphin-watching in the waters off Pamilacan Island or scuba diving off Balicasag Island.
Smart’s recent tie-up with the Department of Tourism for the "I Love Philippines, Biyahe Na" campaign also makes information accessible to tourists, whether in Bohol or elsewhere, via the cellphone.
Sending <ILUV> to 555 immediately opens up an array of services helpful to tourists. The SMS-based service allows the tourist mobile access to information on sites, hotels, places to eat, shops or events, among other things.
But even more important, the connectivity that Smart brings to Bohol aids in the development of its commerce and trade, whether this be in the area of tourism, agriculture, fishing or other local industries, Quinal says.