"Do not put the cart before the horse" is an old adage that dates back to ancient history. If one does that, the cart ain't moving - much ado about nothing - and certainly, one will not go towards any direction.

Meantime, the horse is puzzled by the imbecility of the act. Sometimes, the animal thinks that he has got more horse sense than some men.

Sadly, that's what's happening to Bohol tourism. For the province does not suffer from lack of pretty tourism jewels or glib-tongued sales persons from the public and the private sectors who can twist the neck of any jaded tourist to look towards the direction of Bohol.

The problem lies in the fact that the two phenomena have recently lured a summer record-breaking number of tourists to Bohol that has alarmed the Bohol Tourism Council. Biting off more than it can chew - is one way of graphically showing it - since it seems we are not ready to accommodate the Great Leap Forward of tourism.

For instance, the Chocolate Hills' narrow winding road is often littered with parked cars, making it a virtually one-way street. The Carmen LGU must police the place better before any accident happens that will make the Choco Hills tour a risky proposition, Goodbye tourists, then?

What is worse, despite palliatives of the provincial government, the rest rooms at the Choco Hills complex is an abomination. The hostel building is an eyesore and virtually no one will recommend the food and service at the food restaurant of the complex. These infirmities do not do justice to the top billing of the Chocolate Hills as one of the world's greatest wonders. The Eighth Wonder of the World - we wonder seriously.

Why we suffer these shameful amenities while the government spends millions of dollars to advertise and promote Bohol abroad is a "puzzlement" as the King of Siam says. Even the venerable horse is now shaking its head.

The Chronicle has always argued that "less government" is always better in most things.

Government is a poor businessman and the operations of the Choco Hills complex should be given to the private sector. Governor Rico Aumentado had always wished to privatize the complex - but wishes will not come true if one does not have the political will to implement. Oftentimes the major decisions are made in consideration to their impact on the interests of the town mayors who are the best point men during elections (2007, if it happens).

This is truly unfortunate since political consideration is taking precedence over economic decisions that would have benefited the larger community.

Likewise, the Loboc River cruise is getting too congested due to the immense popularity and the paucity of riverboats. Now lunch is delayed for two hours which is not the best way to go when one is in a Rest and Recreation mood. No less than PTA General Manager Dean Barbers and Manila Mayor Lito Atienza were the latest victims of this inconvenience although hundreds had earlier suffered the same fate.

Better management at the Loboc River is being sought. However, the long-term correction will still come from the supply side if this was looked at as an economic problem. The Abatan River Tour and the soon-to-start Inabanga Fisherman's Wharf are two alternatives that have been long time in coming - that will improve the supply side.

There are three equally important items that the Tourism Council noted in its meeting last Thursday. One is the lack of standardized rates for tourist vans - causing confusion and disgust of the public. During the Holy Week, unscrupulous van operators reportedly asked for an exorbitant P4,000 trip to the Chocolate Hills - double that of the usual P2,000.

Two, are complaints against unsanitary hotels, resorts and pension homes that have poor rest room facilities, unclean towels and lousy service. Boy, that's a sure thing to drive tourists away from Bohol. Aside from that, resorts in Panglao are starting to increase its tag rates for room rates, which if unchecked will one day make Bohol not competitive. There ought to be a common standard for this for the industry's own sake.

Third, there is a lack of fine dining facilities even in the city. We should aggressively invite the entry of known restaurateurs in the city to follow the famous Gerry's Grill and the plans of Max Fried Chicken and Café Laguna.

Progress, they say, sows its own seeds of destruction. And success always invites competition and weed out the lesser outfits. That's given.

These are fine thoughts but the Tourism Industry is too precious and crucial for Bohol's development to be subjected to mere philosophizing.

Let's get our acts together - in cooperation and goodwill - before the next provincial pretender to our crown as most preferred destination catches us with our pants down.

Now, that's not very photogenic.