This was underscored during the Cebu Association of Language Academies (CALA) Grand FamTour 2026 held from April 20 to 24, where three study-abroad consultants from Saudi Arabia joined around 100 international education agents in assessing the region’s educational and tourism offerings.
The event was supported by the Department of Tourism in Central Visayas (DOT-7) and the DOT Office of Product Development.
The familiarization tour concluded with a Gala Night on April 25 attended by Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro, who highlighted Cebu’s strengths not only as “a strong destination for English language learning” but also as “a place of rich culture, warm and genuine people.”
Growing global footprint
According to Gelena Asis-Dimpas, acting director of DOT-7, the Arab states spanning North Africa and the Middle East represent a promising new source market for Central Visayas’ ESL industry.
They add to the region’s established Asian markets, which were also represented during the tour, including Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, China, Vietnam, Thailand and Mongolia.
Asis-Dimpas emphasized that sustaining Cebu’s ESL growth requires close collaboration among government agencies and stakeholders, including the DOT, Bureau of Immigration, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority, the Provincial Government and local government units.
CALA member-schools collectively welcomed nearly 19,000 students from February 2025 to January 2026. Japan accounted for the largest share with 7,106 students, followed by Taiwan with nearly 5,000, South Korea with 2,761 and China with close to 2,000 students.
Good value
Engr. Abdulkader Ahmed Fadak of Saudi-based agency NewAbeer, one of the participants in the week-long assessment and familiarization tour in Cebu, said the province offers “really good value” for ESL students.
He cited Filipino hospitality and the country’s strong English proficiency as key factors that help create a conducive learning environment and accelerate students’ progress.
Fadak added that the availability of one-on-one learning programs in Cebu-based academies further enhances the destination’s appeal by allowing students to complete courses more efficiently.
Tale of two provinces
Central Visayas’ ESL industry is strengthened by high-quality instruction and world-class learning accommodations across Cebu and Bohol.
Beyond language education, the two provinces offer distinct tourism experiences that further enhance their appeal to international students.
Cebu is favored for its cosmopolitan atmosphere, diverse culinary scene, vibrant cultural heritage and thriving countryside attractions.
Bohol, a UNESCO Global Geopark, draws students with its immersive eco-cultural tourism offerings and community-based experiences. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
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