With Cebu now leading the country in economic growth and tourism, it has become one of the most attractive destinations for real estate investment. In 2023 alone, Central Visayas posted a 7.3% surge in gross regional domestic product (GRDP)—making it the fastest-growing economy in the Philippines, valued at P1.381 trillion, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) 2023-2024 Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) data. This sustained momentum is supported by strong performances across industry, services, and agriculture, bolstered by strategic infrastructure projects such as airport expansions, new highways and upgrades, and modernized business parks. For investors and businesses seeking stable yet dynamic markets, Cebu’s economic uptrend presents a rare mix of security and upward potential, transforming it into a magnet of global demand.
Mactan: The island powering Cebu’s tourism surge
Nestled just across the Cebu mainland is a crescent-shaped paradise called Mactan Island, which has emerged as the center of the region’s leisure economy. The Cebu Provincial Government records show that in 2024, Cebu Island welcomed 5.1 million tourists—comprising 1.9 million international visitors and 3.2 million domestic guests—who contributed to generating over P125.92 billion in tourism receipts with an average of 11-night stay, signaling the island’s growing appeal as both a destination and a temporary home. Air traffic through Mactan–Cebu International Airport also climbed steadily, with 10.2 million passengers recorded from January to November 2024, further boosted by new direct routes from Incheon, Tokyo, and Taipei. As Mactan’s leisure, retail, and hospitality sectors continue to thrive, its real estate market is poised to benefit directly from its tourism-led growth. This rise is a testament to Mactan’s evolution into a self-sustaining economic hub.
Coastal condo living: Smart investments with lifestyle appeal
The island’s allure extends beyond postcard-perfect shores. Owning a condominium in Mactan means owning a dual-purpose asset. It offers more than just a stunning view of the sea but also blends the everyday pleasure of seaside living with the advantages of a strategic, value-lasting lifestyle choice. In Metro Cebu, the average selling price for a condo unit stood at P5.3 million in 2023, or approximately P128,000 per square meter. These figures reflect strong buyer interest and the rising prestige of the area, underscoring the market’s premium valuation and high demand. Looking ahead, real estate analysts project annual condo price growth of around 5 percent from 2024 through 2028, driven by continued in-migration and limited land availability on the island. Whether used as a residence, vacation home, or rental unit, coastal condos in Mactan give savvy investors both tangible lifestyle pleasure and capital appreciation prospects. Acquiring properties where land scarcity and tourism demand drive relentless value growth is a smart move.
Resort-style hotel investments: Hospitality gold rush in paradise
Beyond residential opportunities, professionally managed hotel units in Mactan are also becoming a compelling option for investors seeking hands-free passive income. Cebu’s hospitality sector posted a 60 percent average occupancy rate in 2023, with high-season peaks—such as during the Sinulog Festival—reaching between 80 percent and 100 percent in city hotels and resort properties. These figures demonstrate improving global and domestic travel, as well as a deepening roster of luxury and lifestyle hotels. This performance also illustrates the enduring strength of the province’s tourism ecosystem, making it more appealing to investors to own a property that’s cared for by experts while generating income from high occupancy rates and steady visitor flow. It also serves as Mactan’s promise of a coastal lifestyle—mornings spent snorkeling in crystal waters and evenings with gastronomic dining—paired with double-digit rental yields fueled by Cebu’s tourist influx.
Aruga Resort and Residences – Mactan: Elevated Beachfront Living, Curated for the Investor of Today
Aruga Resort and Residences – Mactan captures the rarest real estate edge: exclusivity on a booming island. This signature Rockwell development redefines opulent coastal investment: low-density living ensures exclusivity and privacy with a carefully curated number of residential units, while 270 meters of private beachfront deliver uninterrupted ocean views and direct beach access—an increasingly rare offering on a rapidly developing island. Every residence is finished to Rockwell’s exacting standards, with every detail, from the elegant architecture to the high-quality finishes, speaking to both comfort and enduring value and Rockwell’s commitment to a premium living experience.
The residential experience at Aruga Mactan is built on the success of its own brand and Rockwell’s signature hospitality ethos, ‘Done Rockwell’ — a standard of thoughtful care long recognized and loved by loyal guests of Aruga in Manila, now thoughtfully extended to investors and homeowners in Cebu. But this vision extends beyond private homes with a legacy of meticulous property management, ensuring properties are perpetually en vogue, whether as personal havens or high-demand rental assets. Soon, Aruga Mactan will unveil its hotel offering, bringing Rockwell’s high-touch service to a new hospitality venture. Centered on meaningful guest experiences, this development offers a thoughtfully managed environment that places equal value on the comfort of guests and the peace of mind of owners—blending personal leisure with a refined way to grow one’s portfolio. Rooted in connection, design excellence, and long-term value, it marks a new chapter in resort real estate—one that resonates with both the heart and the evolving aspirations of today’s discerning investors.
Your next move in Mactan real estate
Mactan’s trajectory—from record tourism inflows to transformative infrastructure—paints a clear picture of an island on the rise: it’s no longer a rising star but the sun around which Cebu’s economic future orbits. Its transformation into a global island destination is well underway, and those who invest early are poised to reap long-term rewards. Backed by Cebu’s resilient economy and booming tourism, the island offers more than a promise—it showcases proof.
Aruga Mactan stands as a symbol of this evolving story of not only owning a home by the beach but also anchoring a future shaped by growth, beauty, and thoughtful innovation. For discerning investors, it offers a trifecta: a slice of paradise, a stake in tourism’s relentless ascent, and the prestige of the Rockwell brand. By adding premium residential or hotel units at Aruga Mactan to your portfolio, you’re not just buying property but also securing a stake in Cebu’s most dynamic economic landscape.
And as infrastructure expands and global travelers flock to Mactan, the window for securing a foothold in this coastal goldmine narrows. Embrace the blend of personal leisure and strategic investment: explore Aruga Mactan today, and let your dreams reflect the spirit of growth that defines Cebu.
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