The province recorded 1,080,809 arrivals from January to August, up 122,492 from the 958,317 reported during the same period in 2025.
Domestic arrivals reached 838,575, up 9.19 percent, while foreign arrivals increased by 27.28 percent to 242,108. At least 126 overseas Filipino workers arrived in Cebu during the period, according to PTO data.
Cordova town recorded the highest number of arrivals with 171,552, followed by Santa Fe town with 120,197 and Daanbantayan town with 59,435.
Cordova is located on Mactan Island, while Santa Fe is on Bantayan Island. Both islands are known tourism destinations. Daanbantayan, located at the northern tip of Cebu, is a jump-off point for Malapascua Island, a popular diving destination.
Growth
South Korea remained the province’s largest foreign source market, accounting for 60,518 arrivals, followed by the United States with 22,866 and Japan with 22,223.
The PTO said 53 foreign markets registered growth during the period. South Korea posted the largest increase in visitor numbers at 13,630, followed by China with 10,546 and the United Kingdom with 3,409.
The provincial government said it would sustain domestic tourism promotions and pursue more direct international flights to make Cebu’s destinations more accessible.
The province has been joining travel fairs across the country and discussing improved air connectivity with foreign officials and tourism partners.
During the 19th East Asia Inter-Regional Tourism Federation General Assembly in Cebu in September, Cebu Gov. Pamela Baricuatro raised the possibility of establishing more direct flights between Cebu and participating regions.
She said improved connectivity could expand opportunities for tourism, business, investment and exchanges between communities.
Tourism growth, she added, could create jobs and business opportunities for Cebuanos, benefiting hotels, resorts, tour operators, transport providers and communities across the province.
Flight resumption
The provincial government also cited the resumption of direct flights between Cebu and Quanzhou in Fujian, China, on March 29. The twice-weekly service restored an air link between the sister provinces following Baricuatro’s discussions with Fujian officials.
Separate airport figures showed that Mactan-Cebu International Airport handled 7,355,524 passengers from January to July 2026. International passenger traffic reached 1,930,856, up 14 percent, according to airport data.
During that period, the airport served 23 airlines and 44 destinations, including 16 international destinations.
The province said it would continue working with tourism businesses and other governments to expand access and translate visitor growth into opportunities for local enterprises, transport providers and workers. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
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