PORT authorities were urged Thursday to improve cruise ports and terminals to boost cruise tourism in the country.

Senator Juan Edgardo Angara, chairman of Senate tourism committee, said the country has to step up because of its poor port facilities and equipment, which Tourism Benito Bengzon Jr. cited as hindrance to cruise tourism development.

The 2014 Global Competitiveness Report of the World Economic Forum showed that the country’s port infrastructure ranks 101st out of 144 countries.

The Philippines also has the lowest rank among six biggest economies in Southeast Asia or the Asean-6. Singapore placed second followed by Malaysia (19th), Thailand (54th), Indonesia (77th) and Vietnam (88th).

Angara said “double or even quadruple” efforts are needed in expediting the port infrastructure development because neighboring countries are way ahead of the Philippines.

He said upgrading port terminals and facilities must also be prioritized while the country is focused on improving airport services, noting that there are tourists who also prefer to travel by boat.

“If we do not speed up infrastructure development, we’ll be missing out on a lot of opportunities. Clearly, the strong demand is there. We need to step up,” the senator said.

Sea tourist arrivals, most of which are through cruises, rose to 52,820 passengers in 2014 from 41,624 in 2013, Department of Tourism data showed. (Sunnex)