Cebu is strengthening its position as a leading tourism destination as Gov. Pamela S. Baricuatro leads efforts to attract more visitors, expand international connectivity and create greater economic opportunities for Cebuanos.
The Cebu Provincial Tourism Office recorded 1,080,809 tourist arrivals from January to August 2026, up 12.78 percent from the same period last year. Foreign arrivals posted an even stronger 27.28-percent increase, reaching 242,108.
Baricuatro said the growth highlights Cebu’s strong tourism potential but stressed that accessibility and infrastructure must keep pace.
“If we want Cebu to compete globally, we have to make Cebu easier to reach. Every new direct connection opens a door—not only for tourists, but also for investors, businesses and our communities,” Baricuatro said.
The Governor is also looking at ways to further improve Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) and strengthen the province’s ports as part of a broader push to build world-class gateways for Cebu.
As part of this effort, Baricuatro has been engaging with business and industry leaders, including businessman and philanthropist Blake Nelson Go, whose experience in business in Cebu, together with his background and knowledge in aviation, provides valuable perspectives on connectivity, tourism and infrastructure development.
For Baricuatro, stronger airports and ports are not simply infrastructure projects—they are gateways to greater tourism, trade, investment and employment opportunities for Cebuanos.
With stronger air connectivity, better tourism infrastructure and continued destination promotion, Baricuatro is positioning Cebu for its next chapter of growth.
The message is clear: Cebu is ready for the world—and now is the time to open more doors. From its world-class destinations to its warm communities, Cebu invites more travelers, investors and partners to discover, experience and be part of its continuing rise as a global tourism destination.
