Cebu emerges as RP's top tourism destination

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu has emerged as the number one tourism destination in the Philippines for 2009, the official year-end report of the Department of Tourism (DOT) revealed.

Cebu ‘s total tourist traffic arrival for the year hit 1.61 million, a 1.2 percent increase compared to the figure recorded in the previous year.

Korea remained the top tourist market for Cebu accounting for 29 percent of the total foreign tourists.

The report indicated that Chinese tourists to Cebu grew by a whooping 70 percent as more chartered flights were mounted between Cebu and Shanghai, as to Guangzhou.

A hefty growth in tourists from Kuwait was also recorded as students from the same markets streamed to Cebu for short-education programs.

More than the expansion in international and domestic flight frequencies to Cebu, from major tourist markets and destinations in Central Philippines, accommodations also increased as 804 new rooms opened in 2009.

Based on the report, this include the P3.18 billion Imperial Palace Water Park, Resort and Spa offering 567 rooms, the Citi Park Hotel with 105 room accommodations, the 84 rooms opened by Alpa City Suites, the establishment of Oftana Suites with 24 rooms, and another 24 rooms introduced by Gran Terra Suite.

DOT also attributed Cebu’s dynamic tourism industry in 2009, amid the global tourism slowdown, to the innovative and young entrepreneurs that bravely put their money on providing tourism-support services that prepped up existing tour package in Cebu and nearby destination.

The report mentioned the Island Banca Cruises, which helped provide spice for Cebu’s attractiveness to local and foreign tourists.

Existing heritage tour has also been enhanced to allow tourist to experience a different cultural and historical aspect of Cebu.

Cebu’s long-time partner in tourism—Bohol, also posted a 10.9 percent growth, hitting a total of 313,317 visitors.

Foreign tourists in Bohol, reflected an increase of 18 percent from previous year’s volume while domestic tourists went up by 7.9 percent.

Hong Kong and Chinese tourists to Bohol also recorded a remarkable increase of 467 percent and 99 percent respectively.

Bohol’s vibrant tourism figures for 2009 is attributed to the product diversification being undertake by the local government units (LGUs) and the private sector to stimulate greater tourist traffic and longer stay in Bohol.

Product development innovations were undertaken by the municipal government of Danao in Bohol which brought a new dimension and perspective to adventure tourism. Dubbed as Ecological, Environmental and Educational Adventure Tour (EAT) – Danao, this product which is fully funded by the municipal government offers an extreme and exhilarating challenge with its 45-meter plunge, 1.5-kilometre Suislide, caving, river tubing, rappelling, kayaking and root climbing.

Though with limited promotion capacity (initially only through word-of-mouth), foreign and domestic tourists trooped to this destination to experience a real adventure. 

Following Cebu, in the top 10 top destinations in the Philippines is Camarines Sur, Metro Manila, Baguio City, Davao City, Boracay Island, Cagayan de Oro City, Zambales, Bohol, Puerto Princesa City, Camiguin, Cagayan Valley, Negros Oriental and Ilocos Norte.