State-run Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) on Wednesday said it plans to build five cruise terminals in the near term as the country pushes to become Asia’s next cruise tourism hub.
“We have started to build terminals dedicated only to cruise operations. We are making sure the docks will be able to accommodate the huge cruise ships that we expect to arrive in the near future,” Jay Santiago, PPA general manager, said.
Santiago said the agency plans to develop more cruise terminals in the near term in Coron in Palawan, Siargao, Camiguin, Boracay and Puerto Galera.
Among the ports under the PPA that cater to cruise vessels include the ports of Currimao in Ilocos Norte, Salomague in Ilocos Sur, Manila, Bohol and El Nido, Palawan.
The World Cruise Awards earlier named the Philippines as Asia’s Best Cruise Destination for 2023 this year, topping other countries that include India, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.
“We are happy and proud that the Philippines finally got the Best Cruise Destination Award which shows recognition of the government’s steps led by the Department of Tourism (DOT) with the help of various government agencies such as the PPA” Santiago said.
“We believe that apart from picturesque tourist destinations, it is the rich culture, desirable local delicacies and the warmth of the Filipino people that entices foreign tourists to visit the Philippines.”
Jay Santiago, PPA general manager
Since the resumption of cruise tourism in February this year, the PPA already serviced an initial 46,657 passengers from ships calling at its ports as of September 2023.
The DOT earlier projected 128 cruise liners calling on ports across 33 Philippine destinations this year. The cruise ships are seen to bring in more than 101,000 passengers and some 50,000 in estimated crew.
