Cebu is experiencing a rise in interest as an international events destination following the 48th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings, with venues that hosted the regional gathering now receiving new inquiries from organizers planning future events.
Lapu-Lapu City Tourism Officer Garry Lao said several activities are already being scheduled at Mactan Newtown, one of the main hubs used during the ASEAN meetings for events, accommodation, and media operations.
“Naa ta’y umaabot nga activities sa Lapu-Lapu didto sa Mactan Newtown. Daghan na’g nag-inquire sa Mactan Newtown,” Lao said during the Post-ASEAN Press Briefing of the Cebu Provincial Government.
Governor Pamela Baricuatro also noted increased interest from national agencies, saying she has received invitations to serve as keynote speaker in events that will be held at Mactan Expo, which she described as part of the summit’s spillover impact on Cebu’s meetings and conventions sector.
“I have three national agencies asking me to be a keynote speaker, and they are going to hold their event at the Mactan Expo. So, I think that’s one of the effects,” she said.
Lao said the growing number of inquiries reflects a broader benefit for the local economy, extending beyond major hotels to smaller establishments that cater to event-related visitors.
He added that while the impact is not immediate, it is expected to create sustained gains for the tourism industry in Lapu-Lapu City and surrounding areas.
Department of Tourism (DOT) Region 7 Director Gelena Asis-Dimpas said the ASEAN Summit also supports the agency’s strategy of strengthening engagement with Asia-Pacific markets, particularly destinations with direct flights to Cebu.
She said the DOT is prioritizing nearby source markets with strong air connectivity to maximize tourism recovery and growth amid global economic challenges.
The summit also highlighted Cebu’s cultural heritage, with Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão of Timor-Leste joining a curated heritage tour that featured historic sites in Cebu City.
The “Paglantaw: A Heritage Tour of Old Cebu,” developed for the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2026, includes stops at Magellan’s Cross, Basilica del Santo Niño, Fort San Pedro, and Casa Gorordo.
DOT 7 said it has yet to fully quantify tour participation during the summit but confirmed that all promotional materials were distributed to delegates, with on-ground assistance provided through a multi-agency coordination center in Mactan.
Tourism officials, together with the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas, also promoted the “Turista Iwas Scam” campaign to protect visitors and ensure continued confidence in Cebu as a tourism and events hub.
Photo courtesy of ASEAN / Facebook
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