THE Department of Tourism (DOT) reported strong interest from international cruise lines in visiting islands in the country.
The DOT said in a press statement that they expect at least 18 cruise ships with 20,000 tourists will visit the country this year.
Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Jr. said cruise arrivals in the Philippines grew by 48 percent in the last two years since 2011.
He said that while the country’s cruise infrastructure is being developed, international cruise lines calling in the country have increased substantially, with 16 cruise vessels last year from just 10 in 2011.
“We are expecting 18 cruise ships this year that should bring in more than 20,000 tourists. Our country’s proximity to major cruise source markets like China, Japan, and Hong Kong positions us at a competitive and comparative advantage in the Asia-Pacific region. This should give industry stakeholders greater prospects and our local communities new jobs and opportunities,” said Jimenez.
Increasing demand
The tourism chief believes that what is now considered a niche market will see an increase in demand in the years ahead.
He noted preparation is “absolutely essential.” He urged stakeholders to formulate a national cruise development plan that will chart the Philippines’ role in the cruising business in Southeast Asia.
In a tourism forum held in Cebu, Alice Queblatin, Tourism Congress vice president for Visayas Travel and Tours sector, reiterated the call to improve sea connectivity and upgrade the port terminals to attract more tourists to go to other provinces.
She noted that tour operators like her are mounting tour packages from Cebu to Bantayan, Siquijor, Negros Oriental, Malapascua, Dumaguete and Camotes but what stops them from bringing in more tourists amid the popularity of these islands is the lack of sea ports and terminals that are of international standards.
“We are promoting Philippines for international cruise ships but do we have better terminals for that? Sea infrastructure should be given attention,” said Queblatin, one of the reactors during the forum.
DOT Tourism Operations Office Planning and Product Development chief Warner Andrada said DOT has been closely working with the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) in the improvement of tourism infrastructure.
“We are expecting more sea port upgrades next year,” said Andrada.
DOTC Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya echoed the huge impact of the cruise tourism industry to the country’s national economy.
“It is the job of the DOTC, the maritime agencies, to ensure that there is sufficient transportation infrastructure and efficient processes to support this growing industry,” said Abaya. He said they have started developing the country’s major ports of entry.
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) organized a cruise workshop in collaboration with the DOT as a result of initial talks on the sidelines of the Asean
Tourism Ministers Meeting held in Kuching, Malaysia early this year.
CLIA Southeast Asia Manager Kevin Leong said the priorities outlined by cruise industry stakeholders during the workshop included the need to streamline entry requirements and address passenger mobility; provide convenient, hassle-free and seamless tourist experience of cruise travelers without compromising security; develop and expand port infrastructure; and implement a strategic cruise itinerary planning.
Investment
The CLIA initially identified five to six ports in the country that will be the focus of infrastructure investment to address increasing demand for cruise tourism and the development of waterfront activities.
Two cruise ship companies, Carnival Corp. and Royal Carribean International, see great prospects for the Philippines to become a major cruise hub once the ports are improved and more tourism products and activites are developed. The two companies account for almost 80 percent of the global cruise business.
Prior to the workshop, CLIA members made the rounds and inspected the ports of Manila, Cebu, Puerto Princesa, Caticlan and Subic and met with respective local port authorities.
Aside from the increasing number of vessels calling on the Philippines, there is also a demand for non-traditional destinations such as Kalanggaman Island in Polompon, Leyte; Hundred Islands in Alaminos, Pangasinan; Sta. Ana in Cagayan; and Coron Island in Northern Palawan.
An average of 10-12 hours have been tallied from visiting cruise ships in each port of call in the Philippines.