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Tuesday, January 17, 2017
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ILOILO – Boracay Island will be linked to two other popular tourist destinations in the Philippines in a new strategy the government hopes would draw in more cruise calls in the country this year.
A consulting agency was commissioned by the Department of Tourism and the United States Agency for International Development to lead extensive fieldwork, interviews, analysis, and direction in coming up with a cruise tourism plan.
The National Cruise Tourism Development Strategy identified developments in the “Turquoise Triangle” linking Boracay, Manila and Puerto Princesa in Palawan.
DOT undersecretary Benito Bengzon Jr. said the plan also determines potential for new cruise destinations in north Luzon, where ships departing East Asian hubs can arrive after a day at sea.
There were 72 cruise calls in the Philippines in 2016, up from only 52 in the previous year, the Tourism department said.
Still, the latest figure was “relatively small” compared to top Asian ports, said Bengzon, also the head of the country’s Cruise Tourism Development Committee.
Among top Asian ports are Singapore, which had 374 port calls in 2014; Jeju Island (217); and Hong Kong (200).
But Bengzon was optimistic the Philippine numbers will continue to grow, with the launch of the cruise strategy, along with a series of workshops and the construction of a new international cruise terminal in Manila.
“A superior cruise port and terminal in the capital, with its extensive airlift and ground facilities, will create a compelling reason for large ships to spend time in the Philippines,” he said.
Once completed, DOT secretary Wanda Teo said, the terminal will slowly start enabling an environment for businesses to thrive.
“These include enhancement of ship access through the development of port and shore-side infrastructure; facilitation of business entry; and offering exciting tour packages, among others,” said Teo.
Cruise tourism was one of the product portfolios in the DOT’s National Tourism Development Plan aimed at boosting the Philippines’ competitiveness as a tourist destination in the Asia-Pacific.
Other product portfolios were nature-based; cultural, sun and beach; MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions); leisure and entertainment; diving and marine sports; health, wellness and retirement; and educational tourism. (With a report from Philippine News Agency/PN)
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