KALIBO, Aklan – The Regional Development Council 6 (RDC-6) is pushing for the province of Aklan to be the tourism cruise hub in Western Visayas.
The cruise port hub is among the top 10 major projects identified by RDC-6 during the first full council meeting hosted by Bacolod City’s Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, the council chairperson, in Macau, China, on Wednesday, Dec. 6.
Boracay Island has established a reputation as a popular destination for overseas cruise passengers from Europe, Asia, and the United States, given its strategic position, popularity as one of the world’s best beaches, and unique cruise gateway to other destinations.
Since the resumption of cruise tourism in November this year, luxury ships from Windstar Cruises, Holland America Line, and Norwegian Cruise Line have made five port calls.
The Department of Tourism said the passengers experienced port-rich voyages, local cuisine and culture, the Ati-Atihan festival, and renowned Filipino hospitality upon arrival.
Other RDC projects for implementation are the Iloilo-Capiz-Aklan Expressway; regional warehouses for disaster response and management; modernization of Guimaras parola ports; Bacolod Coastal Road, Iloilo Circumferential Roads, and other vital and strategic road networks; a smart agriculture system; a heart, lung, and kidney center; the Panay River Basin Integrated Development Project; shared service facilities for solid waste management; and farm schools.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Ports Authority is also planning to build more ports in Boracay, Puerto Galera, Siargao, Palawan, Bohol, and Camiguin to accommodate large cruise ships.
The country was recently recognized as Asia’s Best Cruise Destination in the World Cruise Awards./PN
