EDITORIAL - Retirement haven

It's no longer a wonder that Cebu has been attracting foreign tourists for decades already. In fact, it is already known the world over as one of the top destinations in the country.

Every year, Cebu's tourist arrivals increase significantly. This is largely due to the fact that its unique natural resources attract more local and foreign visitors. Being home to some of Asia's fine beaches, Cebu has been giving Bali and Chang Mai a run for their money.

But unlike the two Asian destinations, Cebu is more tourist-friendly for its cheapness. And with its English-speaking inhabitants, Cebu really has the advantage to draw more tourists from western countries.

It's really the affordability that makes Cebu among the best in the world for foreigners to retire. Last week, The FREEMAN headlined a story on an article that appeared in Yahoo! Finance that said Cebu is among the world's top places for retiring Americans.

The article specified the fact that Cebu's affordability makes it an ideal place for retiring Americans to live without spending too much. Not only did it say a foreigner can live here with just $1,250 a month, the article also said Cebu has “some of the most beautiful natural landscapes in the world: narrow coastlines with bright blue waters and limestone plateaus offset by rolling hills and rugged mountains.”

Accessibility also played a big factor. According to the article, the Mactan-Cebu International Airport would make it easy for retirees to fly back to their countries anytime they want.

While Cebu has been getting countless commendations for being a premier tourist haven, many foreigners would still prefer to choose other destinations. As we see it, the problem lies in the fact that our promotion lacks the aggressiveness to draw more visitors.