Two seprarate articles show that Cebu is the top tourist destination in the Philippines. These data further proves that Cebu is developing very quickly. With our white sand beaches, breathtaking mountains and the laid-back atmosphere, Cebu is slowly making its mark as a prime tourist destination.

First Article: http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=12&sec=reader&rp=1&fi=p071228.htm&no=5&date=

Cebu, Philippines (28 December) -- Cebu and Misamis Occidental are now considered as the top tourist destinations in the country, according to the data from the Department of Tourism (DOT).The data showed that Cebu Province has received over 748,006 foreign and local tourists this year and is famous among foreign tourist because of its world-class beach resorts and diving spots.

Among the famous tourist destinations in the country today are Baguio City that ranked 3rd on the list with 441,863 tourists; Aklan with its famous Boracay at 400,000 foreign and local tourists and followed by Davao with over 300,000 visitors.

DOT-7 regional diriector Patria Aurora Roa in a media interview said, Cebu has become what it is now because of the excellent public-private sector tandem in building and promoting tourism in Cebu. The governor, mayors, the PNP and other local officials have done their jobs.

"Coupled with the fact that the Tourism secretary Joseph "Ace" Durano is a native of Cebu has really promoted Cebu and other beautiful places in the country as tourism destinations," Roa added.

Roa further said that the presence of world-class facilities and an international airport made Cebu very attractive to tourists.

The successful hosting of the ASEAN Summit and the influx of international conventions held in Cebu this year have contributed to the increase in tourists arrivals here. "We also have our own way of hosting cultural shows, food, heritage sites among others that also help in attracting more tourists to Cebu," Roa added.

"We are expecting more tourists in 2008 because there are already scheduled international events and gatherings that will be held in Cebu," she said.

Based on the same DOT data, over six million Filipinos have visited various tourist destinations in the country. In 2006, Cebu had 559,000 foreign tourists and 1.1 million domestic visitors....

"We will therefore have to look to more aggressive spending on public infrastructure in 2008…encouraging tourism investments and policies to promote tourist arrivals," Teves said.

He pointed out that the business sector is basically optimistic over the long-term prospects of the Philippine economy as "there has also been keen interest from foreign investors particularly in tourism development and real estate."

Teves reiterated the need for a stronger private sector participation in the implementation of key infrastructure projects. (PIA-Cebu)

Second Article: http://www.pia.gov.ph/default.asp?m=12&fi=p080117.htm&no=18

Cebu City (17 January) -- Cebu's favorable peace and order has made the province the most favored foreign tourist destination nationwide.

Police Regional Office (PRO-7) Chief Gen. Ronald D. Roderos in the recent 'Talakayan sa Isyung Pulis' (TSIP) Forum bared that the relatively peaceful atmosphere in Cebu is a major factor why foreign visitors continue to flock to the province and consider Cebu as a vacation haven.

Roderos with pride said crime incidence has lowered while crime solution efficiency rate has increased which showed the police are doing its job in maintaining peace and order.

The regional police chief said that out of the 3.09 M foreign tourists that visited the country last year, 748T came to Cebu followed by Misamis Occidental as the second top foreign tourist destination with 526T visitors. Third most visited was Baguio City with 441T foreign tourists while fourth place went to Boracay as gleaned from the Department of Tourism data, claimed Roderos.

Roderos meanwhile, cited the peaceful conduct of the 12th Asean Summit in January last year as its biggest accomplishment where 17 Heads of Government stayed in Cebu with no untoward incident that happened.

Security was a nightmare but with the Cebuano spirit, the biggest international event pushed through without disasters, Roderos stressed. Because of the successful conduct of the event relative to security measures and maintaining peace and order, PRO-7 received various awards from Malacañang including individual awards for best performance to former PRO-7 Director Gen. Silverio Alarcio and Gen. Lani-o Nerez, then head of the security operations. Both officials have been promoted and are now assigned at the police national headquarters in Camp Crame, this is learned.