Not a very long ago, tourism in Cebu left a little to be desired. Back then, travel in these parts — while still broadening — was admittedly only limitedly so.
While Cebu has some of the country’s most important historic landmarks and locations, it had little else to offer in the way of provincial attractions and amenities considered essential for it to be perceived as a complete package, travel-wise.
Cebu was still one part emerging cities and another part established towns, but neither part drew tourists in droves; the former, still partly rural, didn’t have the feel of large cities, while the latter, still largely undeveloped, seemed to lack as much vitality as variation, apparently indistinct from each other, and rather difficult to market from a tourism standpoint.
But that was then. Now, Cebu has become both tourism capital and melting pot. This time, its major cities are established, while its major towns are emerging. Tourist influx in the cities is relatively high, and town tourism is picking up pace.
Cebu has become the premier travel destination in the Philippines, and last year, was adjudged by the New York-based magazine Travel + Leisure as the third best island destination in Asia, less than three points behind the best island destination in the world.