Tuesday, 9 March 2021

Bangon Cebu : The I Love Cebu Travel Fair

The long and narrow island of Cebu, one of the more sought-after destinations in the Philippines, is a marvelous place of refuge and rest as well as an exquisite place to experience many thrills. Here, mountains and seas converge, and tranquil coastal areas and a booming metropolis coexist in harmony. Cebu is well known for its white sandy beaches, diving sites, friendly locals, and of course, it’s amazing food.

 

Sumilon Island in Oslob (Photo: Ferdinand Edralin)

Inambakan Falls in Ginatilan


Cebu City, hailed as the Queen City of the South” and perhaps the oldest city in the Philippines, has proved itself to be aging gracefully. It is home to a number of historical sites (Fort San Pedro, Magellan’s Cross, etc.) and ancestral houses (Yap San Diego Ancestral House, Casa Gorordo Museum, etc.).

 

Fort San Pedro (Cebu City)

Magellan's Cross in Cebu City (Photo: Paul Gotiong)


Casa Gorordo Museum


Across, on Mactan Island, is Lapu-Lapu City, the breezy and laid back side of Metro Cebu and home to the beautifully-structured Mactan International Airport, the second busiest airport in the country (direct flights to Cebu are available in some countries) and a gateway to the island, plus a strip of resorts, ranging from mid to highly acclaimed ones, but all offering their very own savoir-faire.

 

Mactan International Airport

The historical birth of Christianity is sprawled all over the province as seen in the beautiful Spanish-era churches that can be found in Argao, Bantayan, Boljo-on (a National Cultural Treasure), Carcar City, Cebu City, Dalaguete, Ginatilan, Minglanilla, Naga, Oslob, San Fernando, Sibonga and Talisay. 

 

Church of St. Catherine of Alexandria in Carcar City (Photo: Paul Gotiong)

Basilica Minore del Sto. Nino in Cebu City


Simala Shrine in Sibonga


A little over an hour’s drive down south is the wonderful town of Oslob where you can get the exhilarating thrill of flying by paragliding or swim with gentle but majestic giants called whale sharks, both definitely an experience of a lifetime. Up north are the beautiful white sand beaches of Camotes Island, Malapascua Island, and Bantayan Island, and many more. The awe-inspiring diving spots of Malapascua, Moalboal and Mactan Island are also the pride of Cebu.

 

Sardine Run off Moalboal (Photo: Ferdinand Edralin)

Olango Island - a birdwatcher's paradise (Photo: Valentino Bobby Kintanar)


If it is heights that excite you, numerous mountains can be trekked within Cebu, perfect for beginners and even for more experienced trekkers. The 1,013 meter high Osmena Peak in Dalaguete, Cebu’s highest peak, is only a 3-hour drive from the city. You can also go canyoneering in Kawasan Falls.

 

Canyoneering in Cebu

Tumalog Falls in Oslob


So, after a year-long hiatus, now is the time make Cebu your first getaway destination. Experience these and many more firsts in the beautiful island of Cebu through the “I Love Cebu Travel Fair” which will be held from March 21 to April 21, 2021. 

 

Bantayan Island

Bojo River (Photo: Boboi Costas)


Some 40 hotels and resorts in Cebu City, Mactan Island and other Cebu towns, as well as 18 travel agencies and Foodparks by Raintree (the first foodservice company specializing in the development and operations of retail centers, themed food courts and unique institutional food service facilities), have signed up for this travel industry-wide virtual sale which will highlight exceptional deals, promos and packages.  The virtual trading will treat free and independent travelers (FIT) to up to 50% discount on their products and services. 

 

Bogo City Pintos

Cebu mangoes


The event will also highlight how these hotels, resorts and travel agencies have gone digital, embracing the online platform to sell their products and services.  On March 16, 2021, Tuesday, 2 PM, the “I Love Cebu Travel Fair” will be launched by inviting media via a virtual meeting. For reservations and bookings, visit http://www.traveloco.ph/ilovecebu.

 

Cebu-made guitar (Photo: Paul Gotiong)

The participating hotels and resorts are:

The participating travel agencies are:

  • Destination Specialists Cebu – 2/L, North Arcade, Banilad Town Center (above Dimsum Break), Cebu City 6000, Cebu. Tel: (032) 231-2461.
  • Divaishnavi International, Inc. – G/F, Hotel Elizabeth, Archbishop Reyes Ave., Cebu City, 6000 Cebu. Tel: (032) 266-4363.
  • Experience More Travel Specialists, Inc. – Shoppe 2-6, 2/F, JEV Arcade, Colon St., Cebu City, 6000 Cebu.  Mobile number: (0927) 207-1168.
  • First United Travel, Inc. – Unit 118, The Qc Pavilion, Gorordo Ave., Cebu City 6000, Cebu. Tel: (032) 266-1841.
  • Funtastic Travel & Tours, Inc. – Rm. 222, Raintree Mall, 298 F. Ramos St., Cebu City, 6000 Cebu.  Tel: (032) 412-5565.
  • Global Link Travel and Tours – Arcade C, Capitol Commercial Complex, N. Escario St., Cebu City 6000, Cebu. Mobile number: (0917) 621-1160. E-mail: globallinkcebu@yahoo.com.
  • Golden JC Holiday Travel – 4/L, Ayala Center Cebu (beside Mercury Drug Store and Mail n More), Cebu City 6000, Cebu.  Tel: (032) 415-8877.
  • Grand Hope Travel & Tours  Lower G/L, SM City, Juan Luna Ave. Ext., Cebu City 6000, Cebu.  Tel: (032) 233-8530. Website: www.grandhopetravel.com.
  • Green Earth Tours and Travel, Inc. – Suite203, Cardoc Bldg., Gen. Maxilom Ave., Cebu City 6000, Cebu.  Tel: (032) 238-6625. Website: www.greenearth.com.ph.
  • iTravel iExplore Tours & Services – Door 1, YMCA Arcade, Osmena Blvd., Cebu City 6000, Cebu. Tel: (032) 236-5253.
  • Land and Sky Travel Service, Inc. - The Rivergate Complex, 49 A. Filimon Sotto Dr., cor. Gen. Maxilom Ave., Cebu City, 6000 Cebu.  Tel: (032) 254-0101.
  • PTN Travel Corp. - c/o Shudoh Jyuku Foundation, SAAC 1, Buaya, Lapu- Lapu City, Cebu.  Tel: (032) 340-7911. Fax: (032) 340-7918. E-mail: accounting@ptn.com.ph. Website: www.ptn.com.ph.
  • Southwind Travel & Tours – 2/F, JY Square, Discovery Mall, Salinas Drive, Lahug, Cebu City 6000, Cebu.  Tel: (032) 417-2247.
  • Sun Travel & Tours Corp. – Door 209, The Annex, 18 Cherry Court, Gen. Maxilom Ave., Zapareta, Cebu City 6000, Cebu.  Tel: (032) 233-4587. Fax: (032) 233-4527.  Mobile numbers: (0942) 957-7243 and (0967) 204-5764. E-mail: suntravelcebu@gmail.com. Website: www.suntravelandtours.com.
  • Travel With Southwind, Inc. – Door 10, Century Plaza Complex, Juana Osmena St., Cebu City 6000, Cebu. Tel: (032) 254-2034, (032) 412-6837 and (032) 412-6847. Fax: (032) 412-6837.  Mobile number: (0917)322-3808.  E-mai: info@travelwithsouthwind.com and southwindtravelcebu@gmail.com. Website: www.travelwithsouthwind.com.
  • Travel Services, Inc. – 4/F, Metrobank Plaza Bldg., Osmena Blvd., Cebu City 6000,Cebu. Tel: (032) 806-7505, (032) 253-5808 and (032) 255-7374.  Fax: (032) 253-9229Website: www.travelservices.com.ph.
  • Travelite Travel & Tours – Unit 10, One Mango Avenue, Gen. Maxilom Ave., Cebu City 6000, Cebu. Tel: (032) 255-3264 and (032) 406-8314.  Fax: (032) 253-6080.  Mobile numbers: (0917) 308-1668 and (0919) 991-1013. Website: www.travelite.com.ph. 
  • Wander Lanes Travel Co. Inc. – Ginza Plaza, J. Panis St., Kasambagan, Cebu City 6000, Cebu.  Tel: (032) 231-3935.

Other participants are:

  • Foodparks by Raintree - 6/F, Salustiana Ty Tower, 104 Paseo de Roxas, Legazpi Village, Makati City. Tel: (632) 7752-5678.