Philippine Tourism Chief Races Home as Typhoon ‘Tino’ Devastates Cebu

A typhoon’s fury interrupts a high-stakes mission to boost Philippine tourism. Now, the race is on to rebuild—and prove resilience on the world stage.

, and Administrator

2025 November 8 . 9:16 AM

1 min read

This picture is clicked outside the city. In the foreground we can see the trees and in the center... — This picture is clicked outside the city. In the foreground we can see the trees and in the center there is a water body and a waterfall. In the background we can see the sky and the trees.

Philippine Tourism Chief Races Home as Typhoon ‘Tino’ Devastates Cebu

Typhoon 'Tino' forced Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco to cut short her trip to London, where she had been attending the World Travel Market. She returned to the Philippines on November 5, 2025, after representing the country at the Ministerial Summit and opening the Philippine Stand at the event.

Garcia-Frasco's visit to London was part of a larger plan to promote Philippine tourism on the global stage. She had been scheduled to participate in the World Travel Market from November 4 to 11, 2025. However, the devastating impact of Typhoon 'Tino' in Cebu led her to return home earlier than planned.

Upon her arrival back in the Philippines, Garcia-Frasco wasted no time in heading to the affected areas. On November 6, she proceeded directly to Liloan, a city that had been severely hit by the typhoon. Her priority was to assess the damage and provide support to the local communities.

Garcia-Frasco's trip to London, though cut short, served its purpose in showcasing the Philippines' tourism potential to the world. Her swift return to the typhoon-stricken areas demonstrated her commitment to supporting the affected communities and ensuring that tourism efforts align with the nation's recovery and resilience.