Phl steps up effort to attract more cruise lines

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines is stepping up efforts to take advantage of the growing interest in cruise tourism in various strategic locations in the country, a government official said.

During the welcome ceremony for the maiden voyage of SuperStar Gemini luxury liner carrying over 1,200 tourists from China which docked at the Eva Macapagal Passenger Terminal in Manila South Harbor Friday, Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) vice chairman and general manager Juan Sta. Ana said PPA, in coordination with the Department of Tourism (DOT), has identified at least eight ports as tourism gateways aimed at developing international hubs for cruise liners.

These gateways are: Davao, Bohol, Boracay, Cebu, Metro Manila, Puerto Prinsesa, Subic and Zamboanga.

Those destinations, he said, make up the nation’s major nautical cruise arteries.

“In view of this strong demand for cruise terminals, PPA commits its full support to cruise shipping services in the Philippines,” he said.

In addition, Sta. Ana said they have lined up various programs for the development of cruise terminals. These include the Ports of Puerto Prinsesa, Currimao in Ilocos Norte and Catgabacan in Bohol Province.

This important development, Sta. Ana said, has been recognized by ASEAN officials and has prompted them to include the establishment and enhancement of cruise corridors as one of the strategic measures in their roadmap.

“It is a great honor that the Manila South Harbor has been chosen to be among the initial ports of destination of Superstar Gemini for its maiden voyage from its home port Xiamen. The market for cruise shipping has long taken a firm foothold in Europe and the Caribbean and is rapidly emerging in Asia, including the Philippines,” he said.

For his part, Star Cruises chief operating officer William Ng said, “this special charter cruise has brought more than 1,200 passengers from Xiamen to Manila to experience the many attraction this energetic city has to offer. Many of them will also visit ResortsWorld Manila, our world-class, one-stop, non-stop entertainment and leisure hub during the shore excursion.”

Ng has expressed confidence that together with concerned Philippine government agencies, Star Cruises would spur cruise tourism development in the Philippines.

DOT assistant secretary Benito Bengzon Jr., meanwhile, said the first visit of a cruise ship from China is an indication of Chinese tourists’ keen interest to visit the Philippines.

“This does not only indicate that the tension between China and the Philippines has diffused already but this is also a strong proof of the attractiveness of our country to be cruise ships’ destination,” Bengzon said.

In the past years, there have been a number of cruise vessels that called at certain ports in the country.

In March 2010, a German cruise ship carrying some 300 European tourist-passengers docked at the Iloilo Port to visit some of historical sites in the province and city.

In March 2012, MV Princess Danae, a Portuguese luxury cruise ship, in its successful maiden voyage to the Philippine country, docked in Davao Port.

In March 2013, the Royal Caribbean’s Legend of the Seas docked at the Port of Puerto Prinsesa for the first time as part of the cruise ship’s seven night “Borneo Explorer Cruise”.