Cebu's tourism future hinges on improved air connectivity

Cebu's inbound tourism industry is calling for a faster expansion of international air access, warning that limited connectivity is eroding the Philippines' competitiveness as regional rivals capture a larger share of global travel demand.

- Ehda M. Dagooc, Staff Member

Alice Queblatin, president of the Cebu Alliance of Tour Operations Specialists (CATOS), said the country has slipped in regional tourism rankings even as neighboring markets such as Vietnam record strong growth, highlighting the urgency of securing more direct international flights into Cebu.

“The Philippine market to Vietnam has increased by about 85 percent, according to the Vietnam Tourism Authority,” Queblatin said. “The question is why other countries are moving up while we are still near the bottom.”