Six Cebu towns among most visited in Central Visayas

Six municipalities in Cebu province were among the top tourist destinations in Central Visayas in the municipality category in 2014, according to the Department of Tourism.

San Remigio town in northern Cebu was the second most visited municipality in Central Visayas and the most visited municipality in Cebu with 62,000 tourists made up of 15,201 foreigners and 46,799 local visitors.

San Remigio Mayor Mariano Martinez said he did not expect his municipality to be chosen as one of the most visited municipalities since the town’s main attraction is its beautiful beaches.

Martinez said the most visited beaches in the town are in barangays Poblacion, Anapog and Aranas.

“I’m thinking (before) that we only served as guide to tourists who are going to Daanbantayan in Malapascua Island because that’s what tourists are looking for. I did not expect that we will be in that spot,” he said.

“We did our vision and mission statement, we have the support of the people, the private sectors and the people in the government,” said Martinez as among the reasons for the municipality’s success.

Martinez said the recognition will inspire the town officials to create more activities for tourists and improve their facilities including putting up more restrooms and maintaining cleanliness in the town.

The other six Cebu municipalities in the DOT’s top 10 list in Central Visayas based on its website are  Sta.  Fe in northern Cebu (3rd place) with 53,424 tourists; Minglanilla in southern Cebu (4th place) with 33,206 visitors; Moalboal in southern Cebu (6th place) with 22,902; Cordova town  (8th spot) in Mactan Island with with 19,085 tourists; and Medellin town in northern Cebu (10th spot) with 15,635.

Sta. Fe, Medellin and Moalboal are known for their beaches, Cordova for its resorts,   and Minglanilla is known for the Sugat activities.

Panglao, Bohol took the top spot with 200,691 tourists; Dauis, Bohol was at 5th place with  30,869 visitors; San Juan, Siquijor (7th place) with 22,699 tourists; and Mabinay, Negros Oriental (9th) with 148,311 tourists.