PH gears up for more cruise tourists

MANILA, Philippines – As various destinations in the Philippines, an archipelago of over 7,100 islands, are added to the Asian stops of major cruise ships, the government is pushing for the development of at least 8 ports identified as tourism gateways.

The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), the Department of Tourism (DOT) and other government agencies have identified for development the following ports as international hubs for cruise liners:

• Davao
• Bohol
• Boracay
• Cebu
• Metro Manila
• Puerto Princesa
• Subic
• Zamboanga

PPA General Manager Juan C. Sta. Ana recently told reporters on October 21 that “these make up the nation’s major nautical cruise arteries.”

Other ports are lined up for other cruise terminal development programs. These include the ports of:
Puerto Princesa
Currimao in Ilocos Norte
Catagbacan in Bohol Province

“The Philippines welcomes this growing interest in cruise tourism in various strategic locations in the country,” Sta Ana noted.

Super Star Gemini, owned by Star Cruises, recently stopped at Pier 15 Super Terminal in South Harbor, Port Area, Manila from its home port in Xiamen, China.

This was the first time the Philippines was included in a major cruise package. Sta. Ana said the package includes regular stops in Boracay and Manila.

Several cruise calls have been recorded since March 2010, including a German cruise ship docking at the Iloilo Port, MV Princess Danae, a Portuguese luxury cruise ship, in Davao Port, and recently, the Royal Carribean’s Legend of the Seas docked at the Port of Puerto Princesa for the first time as part of the cruise ship’s 7-night “Borneo Explorer Cruise.” – Rappler.com