Visitors to southern Cebu will soon have a convenient means to book their itineraries.
The Cebu Provincial Government has revealed its plans for an innovative booking system that could change how we all travel to Cebu’s notable tourist spots.
The announcement came after a controversial Facebook post from the province’s media arm, Sugbo News, informed the public that walk-ins and day trips to some of southern Cebu’s tourist spots will be banned starting March 2025.
At first glance, the project seems restrictive, but the media group has explained that it’s an implementation for a brand new policy regarding the visiting of key areas.
The new system will require tourists to book trips to popular tourist attractions in Moalboal, Badian, Alegria, and Oslob ahead of time, meaning no visitor will show up spontaneously without prior reservations.
PURPOSE
An article on Travel and Tour World explains that this new policy is part of the government’s plans to manage tourist flow and lessen overcrowding in tourist spots. (2025)
With overtourism becoming a major issue in the Philippines, this project could balance several development and conservation projects. A streamlined approach helps preserve Cebu’s ecotourism locations and attract visitors from around the world.
Cebu, particularly in the south, is one of the biggest ecotourism spots in Asia, with notable locations garnering prestigious awards.
For example, the Panagsama Beach, where you can watch the dazzling sardine run, was recently considered one of the best beaches in Asia by international travel agency Condé Nast.
In 2016, Kawasan Falls was awarded Best Destination for the Water Form category in the first Choose Philippines Awards.
Aside from awards, activities like whale shark watching in Oslob and canyoneering in Badian rake in millions of pesos for their respective local government units.
The policy will also include the regulation of the aforementioned activities not only to ensure safety and a smooth trip, but also to increase revenue for the different businesses surrounding these venues.
Sugbo News mentioned that they used canyoneering activities as a blueprint, with Badian earning an increase in revenue ever since the local government had started regulating the activity.
The policy will also improve the visitor experience by providing itinerary options for specific locations in southern Cebu, encouraging visitors to book hotels and resorts to spend longer leisure time and explore the many locations in the southern towns.
THE FUTURE OF CEBU TOURISM
The initial announcement of this policy gained massive backlash from travelers, locals, and even tour operators and guides.
The post was then deleted, with an erratum post published a few days later. It denied that the new policy was a ban on tourists, but rather a new structured approach to improving crowd management and tour coordination.
As of writing, the policy is being discussed by the provincial board, ensuring the most transparent and appropriate guidelines. Sugbo News also confirmed that they are planning to start implementation in March.
This does beg the question: is this the way to go?
Travel and Tour World has mentioned that the controlled approach to this policy could be adopted by other countries, especially those looking to properly maintain their rich natural resources.
However, it also eliminates one of the most important aspects of traveling to a foreign country: spontaneity.
The skepticism taken from the policy is warranted, especially with how some travelers prefer to go in blind when visiting certain destinations. This is especially true when backpacking, which has become a serious form of traveling for many.
A more structured approach forces them to stick to schedules and lose the thrill of finding a relaxing place to unwind.
Then again, an organized itinerary provides assurance that you are not missing out on any of the island’s best locales. The system’s itinerary options also provide flexibility to ensure your schedule fits your preferences.
Additionally, it furthers the government’s plans of preserving tourist spots and keeping them safe from overcapacity.
Right now, the policy has not yet been confirmed, and there is a possibility that it won’t be implemented at all.
Locals and foreign tourists will have to wait and see how this innovative portal will affect Cebu tourism as a whole.
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Are you in favor of this advanced online booking policy?
Is this the future of tourism in Cebu, or is it going to completely hinder a person’s travel experience?
We will find out in March, once the project is slated to be fully operational.
REFERENCE:
Travel and Tour World. 2025. “How Will Cebu’s New Online Booking System Revolutionize Tourism in the South? Enhancing Visitor Experience and Promoting Sustainable Travel Practices.” travelandtourworld.com
https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/how-will-cebus-new-online-booking-system-revolutionize-tourism-in-the-south-enhancing-visitor-experience-and-promoting-sustainable-travel-practices/
