18 OCTOBER 2023, MANILA — The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) joins the country in celebrating the Philippines’ feat as the "Best Cruise Destination in Asia 2023" from the latest World Cruise awards.
“Kami po ay nagagalak at proud na finally nakakuha ang Pilipinas ng Best Cruise Destination Award na nagpapakita po ng pagkilala sa mga hakbang ng pamahalaan sa pangunguna po ng Department of Tourism (DOT) katulong po ang iba’t-ibang ahensya ng gobyerno gaya po ng Philippine Ports Authority,” PPA General Manager Jay Santiago said.
In a bid to further provide safer and more convenient maritime transportation experience to tourists aboard cruise vessels, PPA has initiated and continuously conducts improvements of its port facilities including the construction of dedicated ports for cruise tourism.
“On the part of PPA, nagsimula na tayo na magtayo ng mga terminals na dedicated lang sa cruise operations, sinisugurado natin na ang mga pantalan ay kakayanin i-accommodate ang mga naglalakihang cruise ships na inaasahan nating dadating sa mga nalalapit na panahon,” GM Santiago added.
Currently, among the ports under PPA which cater to cruise vessels include the Ports of Currimao in Ilocos Norte, Salomague in Ilocos Sur, Manila, Bohol and El Nido, Palawan. It likewise aims to develop more cruise terminals in the near term in the areas of Coron in Palawan, Siargao, Camiguin, Boracay and Puerto Galera.
“We believed that aside from picturesque tourist destinations, it is the rich culture, desirable local delicacies and the warmth of the Filipino people which entices foreign tourists to visit the Philippines. To complement these attractions, PPA also just recently underwent the Department of Tourism’s ‘Filipino Brand of Service’ training attended by our Port Managers and other port frontline personnel,” GM Santiago said.
On 25 September 2023 during the celebration of World Tourism Day, PPA launched its #PPAsyalTayo campaign to better promote the country’s well-known tourist destinations that can be reached via ports under the jurisdiction of the agency, promoting delicious food, places to visit, and activities to experience in tourist sites accessible via seaports.
Since the resumption of cruise tourism in the country last February 2023, PPA has already served an initial number of 46,657 passengers from ships calling at its ports as of September 2023.
###