MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Tourism (DOT) assured its international travel partners that Cebu remains open for tourism, particularly its core tourism areas, while select northern municipalities and low-lying barangays, including Camotes, are still undergoing recovery efforts.
In a news release, Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco addressed international, as well as domestic tourists to "not cancel your trip to Cebu" to help sustain the industry and those employed in it.
“Cebu’s spirit of hospitality remains steadfast. We welcome our guests as we continue coordinated recovery in localized areas—your continued visits sustain jobs, restore livelihoods, and help communities get back on their feet. Together with our partners, we will keep Cebu ready, and open for the world," Frasco said.
She acknowledged that a few groups have chosen to defer travel, and that the DOT is ready to help them rebook and adjust itineraries.
"Our foremost commitment is safety; our message is confidence. Cebu is moving forward, our gateways and core tourism areas are open, and together we will turn recovery into renewed growth,” Frasco stated.
The DOT clarifies that high-traffic areas such as Cebu City’s business districts and the primary resort corridors on Mactan Island remain open.
Joint promotional campaigns with leading carriers have widened Cebu’s reach in key foreign markets, while familiarization trips for international travel trade, roadshows in priority source countries, and active participation in major global tourism exhibitions have continued as planned, the DOT added.
Cebu’s international and domestic lift for the fourth quarter of the year is supported by new and returning routes, including: Firefly (KUL–CEB) Dec 2, Jetstar (PER–MNL) cebuNov 27, Jetstar (BNE–CEB) Dec 3, Vietnam Airlines (HAN–CEB) Dec 2, VietJet (SGN–MNL) Nov 22, AirAsia (CEB-KUL) and (CEB-MFM) Nov 15, and PAL (CEB–GUM) Dec 16, the DOT shared.
While some partners have opted to defer activities in light of recent events, the DOT is assisting with rebooking and itinerary adjustments where needed, the Department added.
Data from the DOT shows that approximately 1,400 tourism workers were affected by the temporary site closures and flight cancellations following the onslaught of Typhoon Tino.
