Cebu safe for tourists, DOT confirms after typhoons and quake

The Department of Tourism (DOT) has assured foreign travel partners that Cebu remains safe and fully open to visitors despite recent calamities that caused localized disruptions in parts of the province.

Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said that while Super Typhoon Uwan, widespread flooding from Typhoon Tino, and a magnitude 6.9 earthquake off the coast of Bogo City affected several northern and low-lying communities, Cebu’s main tourism hubs and gateways continue to operate normally.

“Our foremost commitment is safety; our message is confidence. Cebu is moving forward, our gateways and core tourism areas are open, and together we will turn recovery into renewed growth,” Fransco said.

She urged travel and airline partners to proceed with scheduled visits and inaugural flights to Cebu, adding that the DOT is assisting groups that have opted to defer their travel plans.

The DOT clarified that high-traffic areas such as Cebu City’s business districts and the primary resort corridors on Mactan Island remain unaffected and operational. The most significant impacts were reported in select northern municipalities, low-lying barangays, and portions of Camotes Islands.

To reinforce Cebu’s position as a premier international gateway, the DOT said it continues to strengthen the province’s global connectivity through partnerships and market-development initiatives. Joint promotional campaigns with major carriers, roadshows in key source markets, and familiarization trips for international travel agents are ongoing.

New and returning routes are also boosting Cebu’s international and domestic connectivity for the fourth quarter, including Firefly’s Kuala Lumpur–Cebu flight (Dec. 2), Jetstar’s Perth–Manila (Nov. 27) and Brisbane–Cebu (Dec. 3) services, Vietnam Airlines’ Hanoi–Cebu (Dec. 2), VietJet’s Ho Chi Minh–Manila (Nov. 22), AirAsia’s Cebu–Kuala Lumpur and Cebu–Macau (Nov. 15), and Philippine Airlines’ Cebu–Guam (Dec. 16).

The DOT said about 1,400 tourism workers were affected by temporary closures and flight cancellations after Typhoon Tino, but noted that recovery efforts are well underway.