Central Visayas tourism slows in Q1 as arrivals, hotel occupancy decline

Local

CENTRAL Visayas' tourism industry posted weaker performance in the first quarter of 2026 as tourist arrivals declined and hotel occupancy softened amid global geopolitical tensions and rising travel costs, according to the Central Visayas Regional Economic Situationer.

Partial data showed Bohol's tourist arrivals plunged 59 percent, from 417,142 visitors in the first quarter of 2025 to 170,016 this year. Meanwhile, Cebu Province, excluding the cities of Cebu, Lapu-Lapu, and Mandaue, recorded a six-percent decline, with arrivals falling from 358,287 to 335,731.

Accommodation indicators also weakened during the quarter. Occupied hotel rooms fell 14 percent, while total guest nights dropped to 381,100, despite a significant increase in available rooms.

The report attributed the slowdown to global geopolitical tensions, which have driven up fuel prices and airfares, making travel more expensive. It also cited travel uncertainty, stronger competition from neighboring destinations, changing travel behavior, environmental pressures, and incomplete data reporting as factors behind the weaker tourism performance.

The decline came despite Central Visayas hosting several ASEAN-related meetings in Cebu and Bohol ahead of the 48th ASEAN Summit, including the ASEAN Tourism Forum and ASEAN Travel Exchange, which boosted international visibility for the region.

Tourism stakeholders, however, remain optimistic about a stronger performance for the rest of the year, supported by Cebu's growing MICE industry, the upcoming opening of the SMX Seaside Cebu Arena and SMX Convention Center Cebu, and Bohol's continued investment in sustainable and community-based tourism initiatives.(MyTVCebu)