Why Cebu? Central Philippines offers options for work and play

CEBU, Philippines - When it comes to mixing business and leisure, the first place that comes to mind is Cebu. The southern idyll is also one of the most developed provinces in the country with theist main city as the center of commerce, trade, education and industry in the Visayas. Aside from this, Cebu is home to top hotels and resorts, cuisines from across the globe, and natural attractions for every traveler.

“For me, there is one thing that can describe the beauty of Cebu—and that is ‘fascinating,’” says Rowena Montecillo, Officer-in-Charge of the Department of Tourism Region 7. “For more than 400 years, Cebu has continuously captivated people from every walk of life into her shores—to immerse themselves in her beauty, grace and spirit. Cebu certainly has a mesmerizing appeal.” 

The Cebu province also offers even more pleasantries. Says Montecillo, “As one of the Philippines’ top destinations, Cebu has plenty to offer—from white sand beaches to amazing diving destinations; and let’s not forget its rich and captivating heritage and culture. To this day, remnants of the Spanish settlement still abound in the province.”

No wonder the province has been routinely cited by United Kingdom-based Condé Nast Traveler Magazine as among the best island destinations. It ranked seventh in 2007 in the Indian Ocean-Asia region, eighth in 2005 in the Asian-Pacific region, and seventh in 2004 and 2009. 

For the executive traveler

With its own international airport, the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) in Mactan Island, the itinerant business traveler can easily fly in and out.

“Cebu’s vibrant business atmosphere is one of the prime reasons on why it continues to attract investors, whether foreign or domestic,” says Montecillo. “It is one of the safest places in the Philippines not just for families but also for business and trade. There is also the highly trained workforce and supportive local government units. These qualities make Cebu one of the places in the Philippines where businessmen have confidence both in their trade and well-being.”

There is also Cebu Pacific (CEB), Asia’s third-largest low-cost carrier and the country’s leading airline, which operates 19 direct domestic and 4 international flights out of MCIA. CEB’s Cebu hub offers not only direct flights from Cebu to Busan, Seoul (Incheon), Hong Kong and Singapore, but also direct flights from Cebu to Clark, Legazpi, Davao, Bacolod, Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro, Zamboanga, Pagadian, Surigao and many other key destinations in Visayas and Mindanao.

The airline’s incredibly affordable fares also allow the business traveler to maximize his or her travel budget by going on as many business trips as needed. Be it restaurant chains or import-export companies, CEB caters to the business market from its strategically-placed Cebu hub.

CEB also offers direct flights from Cebu to some of the most scenic domestic destinations such as Siargao, Puerto Princesa and Boracay (Caticlan), perfect for those who want to mix a bit of leisure into their business schedule.

Indeed, centuries after the Spaniards first laid eyes on it, this island paradise entices business travelers with its stirring mix of urban infrastructure, international investments, grand heritage and extensive connectivity to the rest of the Philippines and the world. (THE FREEMAN)