Cebu City treats ASEAN delegates heritage tour

Local

CEBU City is aiming to bolster its tourism sector as delegates from the 45th ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2026 explored the city’s cultural and religious landmarks on Tuesday, January 28.

Mayor Nestor Archival hopes that immersive experiences like the Paglantaw: A Heritage Tour of Old Cebu will encourage visitors to explore Cebu beyond major events and help boost hotel occupancy, local businesses, and overall tourism activity.

The half-day tour included at least 105 participants, according to Archival.

He said this included four tourism ministers, while others include heads of delegation, senior officials, permanent representatives to ASEAN, and aides from ASEAN member states and dialogue partners.

Representatives from Myanmar, Laos, China, South Korea, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam attended the meeting, alongside delegates from India, Japan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Russia, and Singapore.

Participants also came from Singapore, China, South Korea, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam.

Delegates visited Magellan’s Cross, the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu, Fort San Pedro, the National Museum of the Philippines–Cebu, Casa Gorordo Museum, and Museo Sugbo, where local snacks and delicacies were served.

The tour highlighted Cebu’s role as the cradle of Christianity in Asia and emphasized the city’s rich heritage and culture.

Archival said the city aims to increase tourism activity throughout the year, rather than relying solely on major events like Sinulog.

“Atong gitan-aw, it’s very important to bring up sa atong tourism is to find ways nga naa gyud tay activity kada bulan because for so long a time ang atong siyudad sa Sugbo ang iya ra gyud activity nga dako is during Sinulog,” he said.

The mayor noted the declining tourist arrivals is causing the economy in the country, saying that hotel bookings are regularly only at 20 percent.

He added that during the Sinulog Festival, hotels received full bookings that helped boost the city’s economy. Thus, he wants to replicate such success not only during the festival.

Archival added that the city is actively engaging ASEAN countries to entice delegates and visitors to explore Cebu’s heritage sites.

Archival also highlighted the city’s long-term vision for cultural and religious tourism, noting that electric buses were deployed to accommodate participants and will be used in future heritage tours.

“Ato gitan-aw nato aside sa heritage and cultural, ato gitan-aw ang religious. Because you know atong gitan-aw kining Magellan’s cross, imagine this is the cradle of Christianity sa whole Asia,” he said.

The Paglantaw tour supports ATF 2026’s goals of promoting sustainable tourism, regional cooperation, and cultural exchange.(TGP)