Cebu among top destinations for Germans

CEBU, Philippines —  Cebu is one of the top three destinations among Germans and among the top 10 biggest areas in the Philippines for retirees, the Department of Tourism disclosed.

Germany is the country’s 11th biggest market for tourism in 2022 with 39,013 German visitors received here, while France contributed 23,949; Netherlands, 19,306; Switzerland, 11, 092; and Belgium, 8,964.

“After almost three years of setbacks and the global pandemic among the hosts of other calamities, we can finally say the worst is almost over, we flourished and we have survived and now the Philippines is thriving and ready for your partnership. Ready to receive all of you and the tourists that you would like to bring into our country,” said Secretary DOT Secretary Ma. Christina Garcia-Frasco in her Listening Tour in Berlin.

A German visitor in the country stays an average of 14.50 nights when they visit the country, mostly for purposes of leisure and business.

Based on the same report, Cebu, Palawan, and Bohol are among the favorite destinations of German tourists.

And DOT is not stopping there.

"We are aiming to invite more German nationals to our shores," said Frasco.

Data from the Philippine Retirement Agency (PRA), an attached agency of the DOT, also showed that Germany is the 9th biggest source market of the Philippines for retirees.

Secretary Frasco also briefed the participants on the dialogue of the plans and programs of the Department that will cater to the German market, including the Overwintering Program of the Department.

“And talking about this side of the world, as many of you know, while you are experiencing winter here, we are just about to declare the official start of summer in the Philippines. This is the best time to explore sun and beach destinations which we will make available for you through our overwintering program,” added Frasco.

Meanwhile, tourism movers and shakers from Central Europe also offered their insights and suggestions on topics ranging from connectivity, training, and marketing and promotions with DOT officials at the Messe Berlin in Germany.

Frasco also met with the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Change,’s coordinator for Maritime Industry and Tourism were the former conveyed its interest to initiate German language training for tourism front liners, particularly tour guides, in a bid to further develop the tourism product portfolio of the Philippines to cater to German tourists.

Aside from the meetings, DOT headed the country’s comeback at the Internationale Tourismus-Börse (ITB) 2023 Convention in Messe Berlin, Germany last March 7 to 9, 2023 with 26 co-exhibitors from the public and private sector consisting of 40 delegates attending the event.

Two Negros Occidental cities also spiced up the Philippine delegation's trip to Berlin with awards from the Green Destinations Awards at the ITB Berlin 2023 with Sagay City bagging the People's Choice Award and second under Nature and Scenery Category for its "Mangrove Forest Protection through Community-based EcoTourism Project" while Bago City’s entry “Reviving the Majestic Diversity of Bago Watershed” was awarded third among the finalists under Environment and Climate Category.

Frasco also made sure to meet the Filipino community in Germany tagged as Philippine tourism ambassadors in the said country during the launch of the Bisita, Be My Guest (BBMG) Program in Berlin.  - JMD (FREEMAN)