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Cebu ranks third in renowned global travel recognition

Philippines | National

Cebu ranks third in renowned global travel recognition

By Trixee Rosel

The province of Cebu secured the third place in the Area Category of the 2024 NEWT Awards, the Department of Tourism (DOT) disclosed on Tuesday, Feb. 4, as it emphasized the success of the country's national tourism campaign in enhancing its visibility in the Japanese market.

DOT Tokyo Office Tourism Attaché Niel Ballesteros received the award on behalf of DOT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco from Mr. Tomotaka Isono of Reiwa Travel during a ceremony at the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo on Jan. 25.

The NEWT Awards, organized by the global travel booking app NEWT, recognize the most popular travel destinations, hotels, and flights based on traveler preferences.

Cebu’s top-three finish highlights its growing prominence among Japanese and international visitors, further solidifying its status as one of the Philippines’ premier destinations.

Frasco credited the success to the collective efforts of local government units, tourism operators, hospitality providers, and community organizations in Cebu, all of which contributed to the island’s achievement.

“This recognition not only underscores Cebu’s appeal as a prime travel destination but also highlights the effectiveness of the ‘Love the Philippines’ campaign in boosting the country’s profile within the Japanese market,” Frasco said.

The award comes amid a surge in Japanese interest in the Philippines, with Rakuten Travel data revealing a 1.82-fold increase in accommodation bookings during the 2023-2024 holiday season, marking the second-highest growth on the platform.

In addition, Japanese travel agency HIS ranked Cebu as the seventh most booked international destination during the New Year period, with a notable 136.8 percent year-on-year increase in bookings.

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