Cebu’s tourism sector is facing a possible decline in visitor arrivals this year, with projections at the Provincial Board indicating a potential reduction of around 213,000 passengers if current global conditions persist.
The figure was raised during a privilege speech by Board Member Red Duterte, chair of the Committee on Tourism, who flagged emerging external pressures that could affect travel demand and airline operations.
“Allow me to speak of data affecting again one of the province’s biggest economic drivers which is tourism,” Duterte said.
He cited data from the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority as basis for the projection, noting that geopolitical tensions and rising travel costs are beginning to affect passenger movement.
Duterte said the global situation is starting to affect stakeholders in the tourism sector.
“The current global crisis is beginning to take a toll in the tourism industry. Our stakeholders is starting to feel the pinch,” he said.
He pointed to rising jet fuel costs as a key factor influencing airline operations, explaining that fuel accounts for a significant portion of carrier expenses.
“As fuel costs rise, so does jet fuel… for airlines, 40 percent of their cost is fuel,” he said, noting that higher costs often translate to fewer flights and higher fares.
Airlines have already started adjusting operations, including suspensions and route reductions, as carriers respond to shifting demand and operating costs.
Despite the warning, Cebu’s tourism performance in early 2026 remained strong, with the province posting gains in both domestic and international arrivals during 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 warned that the current momentum may not hold in the coming months.
“These numbers are very good… but slowing down is expected from early June onwards if the situation does not improve,” he said.
Duterte said the possible decline would have ripple effects on local economies, particularly in towns and cities that rely heavily on tourism spending.
“Kadaghanan ani mga turista gyud… tourists that will spend in our towns and cities and tourists that will supposedly keep our economy alive,” he said.
He urged early intervention, citing lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic as a reference point for response strategies.
“If we are to benchmark on the measures that we took during the COVID-19 lockdowns, we must act now,” he said.
Duterte said discussions are ongoing within the Cebu Provincial Tourism Council to explore mitigation measures, including market diversification and stronger linkages with “super connector” airlines that maintain Cebu’s global routes.
He also pushed for stronger domestic tourism promotion, encouraging residents to support local destinations.
“I think what we need to do is encourage Cebuanos to roam around the province to support the tourism industry,” he said.
As the outlook remains uncertain, Duterte urged continued coordination among stakeholders to sustain the sector’s gains and cushion potential losses. (SBA)
Photo by Vetty Mata
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