World Travel Expo returns to Cebu for its 10th year, bringing together destinations, travel opportunities, and experiences from across the globe at Ayala Center Cebu for a three-day event, running from August 14 to 16, 2026. Marking a decade of connecting Cebuanos with the world, the expo invites travelers to discover new places, explore exclusive deals, and find inspiration for their next journey.

With the World Travel Expo Year 10 is underway at Ayala Center Cebu, travelers can grab the opportunity to organize everything in a singe visit under one roof.

With the theme “Xtraordinary Journeys, Xceptional Memories,” the event celebrates travel beyond destinations, spotlighting the essence of making connections, discovering stories, and creating memories that linger after the journey ends.

By bringing together the people, communities, and industry partners shaping meaningful travel experiences across the Philippines, the three-day event connects travelers with local and international destinations, tourism organizations, and travel businesses while fostering partnerships that drive the continued growth and vibrancy of Philippine tourism.

A decade of journeys

The 10th iteration of World Travel Expo has grown into more than just a meeting point for the travel industry. Over the years, it reflects the belief that when tourism grows, so do the opportunities it creates. For Cebu, that means greater exposure, stronger industry connections, and new possibilities for businesses and destinations to reach a wider market.

Miles Caballero, Managing Director of Ad Asia Events Group OPC, marked the milestone by looking back on the journey and the vision behind its beginnings, “When we started World Travel Expo, our hope was to create a place where people could discover new destinations, build meaningful connections, and experience the stories behind travel.”

At its core, the event is a collective effort to capture the essence of travel, and it has evolved over the years to expand from what it was first envisioned—a platform where people could discover new destinations, forge meaningful connections, and experience the stories that turn travel into an unforgettable memory.

“This 10-year celebration is a reminder that the best journeys are never created alone. They are shaped by people who come together with a common purpose and a shared belief in what can be achieved,” Caballero further remarked on what the milestone represents.

As the tourism industry in Cebu continues to grow, it thrives under initiatives such as the World Travel Expo, embodying the collaborative movement essential to the industry’s growth, since tourism isn’t built to stand alone.

How Cebu’s tourism growth creates new opportunities

Tourism serves as the economic backbone of Central Visayas, supporting local industries well beyond the traditional travel sectors. As Cebu continues to welcome more travelers, the ripple effect of every journey extends far into the local economy, turning leisure travel into a broad-based community support.

Highlighting this deep interconnectedness, HRRAC President, Mia Faye D. Singson-Leon said, “Because tourism is not just an industry that stands alone. Our tourism is connected to the economic lifeline of this island. A visitor who comes to Cebu creates value far beyond a hotel booking or an airline ticket.”

As the OIC- Regional Director of DOT Region VII stated in her keynote speech, “Every traveler abroad should bring home at least one visitor. Bring them home. Bring them to your hometown. Bring them to Cebu. Bring them to our heritage district. Outbound creates movement; inbound creates the momentum that no one can stop. Reciprocity keeps the cycle stable” emphasizing how tourism need inputs and investments.

For Rowena “Weng” Montecillo, Provincial Tourism Officer, platforms such as the World Travel Expo provide more than an avenue to promote destinations. “It has provided an important platform for Cebu to showcase its diverse tourism offerings, connect with potential markets, build partnerships, and create opportunities for our local tourism enterprises and communities,” she said.

This multi-sector impact ensure that tourist spending directly powers community livelihoods that benefit local tour guides, transport drivers, neighborhood eateries and handicraft artist across the region.

At the same time, this continuous growth strengthens Cebu’s standing as a premier hub for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) where it is able to host high-value corporate gatherings alongside leisure tourism. By bringing international partners, local enterprises and travelers together under platforms like the World Travel Expo, Cebu continues to turn short-term visitor into long-term commercial prosperity and lasting economic partnerships.

A one-stop travel hub

With the World Travel Expo Year 10 is underway at Ayala Center Cebu, travelers can grab the opportunity to organize everything in a singe visit under one roof. Bringing together top resort brands, tour operator, airlines and local travel agencies, the expo turns trip planning into an effortless hands-on experience.

Visitors can talk directly with real travel experts at each booths to ask questions, compare destinations side-by-side and craft custom packages tailored to their needs.

Beyond travel deals, the expo also gives visitors access to exclusive event-only perks, including staycation savings, extended voucher validity, and special bundled passes for family attractions and dining experiences.

With two days left, head to Ayala Center Cebu and make the most of World Travel Expo Year 10. Explore the booths, discover new destinations, and find the travel deals that could make your next trip even more memorable.