DOT fast tracks negotiations with luxury cruise line firms

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Tourism (DOT) is accelerating its move to invite international cruise liners to capitalize on the country's potential in the cruise industry.

DOT assistant secretary Benito Bengzon announced that negotiations with foreign shipping companies engaged in luxury and leisure cruise operations are now given priorities, to expand the country's attraction portfolio, and bring in big groups of travelers from all over the world.

Bengzon, who is also leading the DOT's tourism development and chairs the Tourism Promotions Board, said that it is high time for the country to flaunt its over a thousand islands through leisure cruising to easily drum up interest.

"We should be the natural choice for cruise liners, compared to other countries," said Bengzon.

Three years ago, DOT then led by former secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr., announced its partnership with 18 international cruise liner companies.

DOT partnered with the Cruise Lines International Association (CLUA), which is expected to bring an initial of 20,000 foreign tourists to our shores.

Among the international ports which have been inspected by both DOT and CLUA are  Cebu, Manila, Puerto Princesa, Caticlan, and Subic.

These five ports will play a major role in harnessing infrastructure investment that would address the increasing demand for cruise tourism in the country and the development of waterfront activities.

Today, under the leadership of tourism chief Wanda Teo, Bengzon said the agency is pursuing this plan, and before long big cruise liners will announce its entry to the Philippines.

Meanwhile, Cebu Association of Travel Operators Specialists (CATOS) president Alice Queblatin maintained that while the Philippines has the potential to attract these big cruise liners to operate in the Philippines, the government should equally fast track the infrastructure improvement, specifically the seaports.

In Cebu, island destinations like Bantayan Island, Camotes, Malapascua, as well as the neighboring provinces of Bohol, Negros Oriental and Siquijor are suffering from lack of sea-based transportation access.

Queblatin mentioned that there was one international cruise ship which tried to enter the Philippines, and made a stop at one of the islands in the Visayas, but because of the lack of good terminals and ports, that was only a “one-shot-deal." (FREEMAN)