Cruise tourism in the Philippines is set to sustain its recovery momentum into 2026, buoyed by rising ship calls, policy support, and stronger regional cooperation, according to the Department of Tourism.
Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said the outlook follows the successful hosting of the Asia Cruise Cooperation Annual Regional Meeting in Manila on December 15, which gathered key Asian destinations to align growth strategies.
Preliminary DOT data show 127 cruise ship calls in 2025, carrying an estimated 5,562 passengers and 1,409 crew, underscoring a steady rebound from pandemic disruptions.
Looking ahead, Frasco said the DOT, Department of Transportation, and Philippine Ports Authority will reconstitute the Cruise Tourism Development Committee in January 2026 to sharpen inter-agency coordination and roll out the National Cruise Tourism Development Strategy.
Demand signals are strengthening. As of November 20, the Philippines already has 136 cruise calls scheduled for 2026, with projected sea arrivals of 43,369, up 27 percent year on year.
Manila remains the country’s primary cruise gateway, followed by Puerto Princesa and Boracay, reflecting renewed confidence among cruise operators and rising appetite for itineraries blending urban ports with leisure and nature-based destinations.
Travel facilitation is also improving. Nearly 7,000 cruise visa waivers have been issued since the launch of the Cruise Visa Waiver Program last year, easing entry for international passengers.
At the ACC meeting, Frasco emphasized deeper regional collaboration among destinations, ports, and cruise lines to ensure growth remains sustainable, inclusive, and beneficial to host communities.
Founded in 2016, the ACC links Hong Kong, Taiwan, Chinese ports Hainan and Xiamen, the Philippines, and South Korea to coordinate itineraries, share market intelligence, and advance Asia’s cruise sector.
Frasco said cooperation drives jobs, communities, travel.
