Tourist arrivals in Cebu seen to decline

Local

THE province could lose around 213,000 passengers this year amid rising travel costs and international tensions.

Cebu Provincial Board Member Red Duterte, chair of the Committee on Tourism, flagged the projection in a privilege speech, citing data from the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority that shows early signs of strain if current trends continue.

“Allow me to speak of data affecting again one of the province’s biggest economic drivers which is tourism,” Duterte said.

He warned that the “current global crisis is beginning to take a toll on the tourism industry,” adding that “our stakeholders are starting to feel the pinch.”

Duterte identified rising jet fuel prices as a key driver, noting that fuel accounts for about 40 percent of airline operating costs.

He said increases in fuel prices often lead to fewer flights and higher fares, prompting airlines to suspend routes and scale back operations, including some international services and select domestic connections.

Despite the warning, Cebu posted strong tourism numbers at the start of 2026, with domestic and international arrivals in the first quarter surpassing pre-pandemic levels.

“So we were supposed to be on a very good start for this year,” Duterte said.

However, he cautioned that momentum may not hold, with a slowdown expected by early June if global conditions do not improve.

“These numbers are very good… but slowing down is expected from early June onwards if the situation does not improve,” he said.

The projected decline is expected to affect local economies, especially communities that rely heavily on tourism spending.

Duterte said many of the affected passengers are tourists who would have spent time in towns and cities and contributed to keeping the local economy active.

He called for early intervention, citing the province’s response during the COVID-19 pandemic as a reference point, stressing that authorities must act promptly if they are to benchmark previous measures.

Duterte said the Cebu Provincial Tourism Council has begun assessing strategies to mitigate the impact, including tapping alternative markets and strengthening partnerships with “super connector” airlines that link Cebu to key global destinations.

He also urged residents to support local tourism by encouraging Cebuanos to travel within the province, describing it as a way to help boost the industry.

Duterte emphasized the need for a proactive approach to protect the sector, ensure its survival, and sustain its growth.

Earlier, tourism stakeholders across Central Visayas reported declining revenues, with hotels, ferry operators, and tour providers citing fewer bookings and increasing cancellations during a coordination meeting led by the Department of Tourism in Central Visayas.

Industry groups said resort occupancy could drop to between 50 and 60 percent, while city hotels may fall below that range. Ferry fares and tour costs have also risen due to higher fuel prices, which could discourage travel within the region.

To cushion the impact, at least 22 hotels and resorts in Cebu have introduced promotions of up to 50 percent off through “workcation” and “staycation” packages aimed at domestic travelers and emerging international markets.(MyTVCebu)