Koreans lead growth in international arrivals to Cebu

Fort San Pedro in Cebu, Philippines

Cebu, Philippines, continues to raise its international profile as a worthy tourism destination. The city has recorded a 10.5% year on year increase in visitor arrivals during the first seven months of 2011. Of  the 1,131,230 visitors to arrive, Korean nationals continue to top the list of foreign travellers, growing 53% on last year to 206,885. Director of the Department of Tourism in Central Visayas, Rowena Montecillo, suggested this growth is down to demand for education. She believes that many Korean travellers first come as tourists and later return for extended period to learn English. In terms of total numbers, Japan was the second largest contributor of international arrivals, followed by the US.

Yet as most tourism destinations speak of rapid growth in arrivals from China, Cebu conversely reported a significant decline of 45%, reports the Manila Bulletin Publishing Corporation. 

Source: Travel Daily Asia