Cartagena, Colombia-users of Travel Web site IgoUgo.com have come up with a list of the Top 10 "Best Places You´ve Never Heard of" based on their experiences, with reader comments for each place. And, Bohol is included in the top 10 list, though it's not a never-heard-of destination. This was based on the report from REUTERS, a news organization well-circulated here as quoted by First District Representative Edgar M. Chatto, chairman of the House Tourism Committee.

According to the report, the Top 10 best places in order of ranking are Amarante in Portugal , Sigulda in Latvia , Avebury in England , Sorata in Bolivia , Camargue in France , Victoria in Argentina , Budva in Montenegro , Bohol in Philippines , Cuyutlan in Mexico , and Perthshire in Scotland. The same report described Bohol as a place with “numerous natural treasures that lure visitors to its shores.” “Although people usually go to its highly-urbanized neighboring  province of Cebu , Bohol holds a charm of its own, making it distinct from the other Visayan islands ," the report said.

Chatto, who arrived Thursday in Cartagena de Indias , Colombia as head of the three-man Philippine delegation to the United Nations-World Tourism Organization (UN-WTO) General Assembly, said that this recognition is surely boosting the province of Bohol and the Philippines in the global tourism market. Even in UN-WTO, the Philippines is well-recognized as a fast-growing destination, Chatto added. Prior to the assembly, the Philippines will sit in the UN-WTO Executive Council Meeting as representative of  the East Asia and the Pacific.

The country´s delegation in Colombia , together with Chatto, includes DOT Usec Phineas Alburo and Planning Director Allan Canizal. They were received by the UN-WTO officials at the VIP Lounge in Cartagena Airport after a 36-hour trip from Manila with stops in Los Angeles and Miami. Considered the highest global policy meeting participated in by over 150 countries, the 17th UN-WTO General Assembly will take up issues on current challenges for sustainable tourism, poverty alleviation, management of natural and cultural heritage, and climate change.

The gathering opened on November 22 and ends November 30. The UN-WTO, a United Nations specialized agency, is the leading international organization with the decisive and central role in world tourism. It serves as a global forum for tourism policy issues. Its membership includes 150 countries, seven territories and more than 300 affiliate members worldwide. In the June this year, in the conference of UN-WTO in Tunisia , North Africa , the Philippines , through Chatto, won the bid to host next year's 6th International Tourism Forum for Parliamentarians and Local Authorities. On the same occasion, the year-end session of the UN-WTO Executive Council will also be held. In conjunction with these gatherings, the Philippine delegation will also convey the country's readiness to host the Asia-Pacific Conference on Tourism Satellite Account (TSA). In a recent budget committee hearing in Congress, DOT Secretary Ace Durano expressed appreciation for Chatto's diplomacy, statesmanship and expertise in dealing with international tourism partners which was instrumental in bringing to the Philippines these major tourism events.

“Hosting these gatherings was an elusive dream of the Philippine tourism industry as we failed to grab it in several earlier attempts. It was only when we asked Congressman Chatto, who is our “secret weapon”, to represent the country when we finally got it. I do not know how he managed to convince all other interested countries including China 's minister on tourism to support us instead of pushing their own bids.” Durano said. In a letter addressed to Speaker Jose de Venecia, Secretary Durano likewise lauded the Bohol solon for representing the country well in international tourism gatherings and events. In Tunisia , Africa , Durano said that Chatto's insights as member of the five-man panel of reactors created a strong impact among the over 500 delegates worldwide. Chatto, for his part, said that the House Committee of Tourism, which he heads, together with their Senate counterparts led by Senator Dick Gordon, is supporting DOT's effort to position the Philippines as a venue for international gatherings to boost international tourism arrivals and project a good image of the country worldwide. While in Colombia , Chatto will meet with key officials of UN-WTO and of countries sitting as members of the Executive Council. He will also confer with preparatory committees which will handle the three major 2008 UN-WTO conferences in the Philippines. In a meeting with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo recently, Durano and Chatto expressed preference for Cebu as venue of next year's international conventions. Chatto said that side trips to Bohol and other destinations can be arranged to highlight the countryside attractions our country can offer.