Tiopes
TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Tourism (DOT) in the region announced that another cruise ship is expected to visit Eastern Visayas this year.
This bit of good news was announced by Karina Rosa Tiopes, DOT regional director, during the weekly press conference spearheaded by the Philippine Information Agency’s “Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas,” held on Tuesday, July 9.
The Australian expedition cruise ship Coral Geographer, carrying 250 guests, is set to arrive in October and will visit 11 sites in Eastern Visayas, Tiopes said.
“The visit of cruise ships to lesser-known destinations spurs curiosity among local and domestic tourists,” she said.
Eastern Visayas markets itself as an ideal destination for expedition cruises due to their smaller number of guests, which helps minimize environmental impact compared to larger carnival cruises that carry over a thousand passengers.
Among the sites the Coral Geographer is expected to visit are Digyo and Mahaba Islands (part of the Cuatro Islas); Sambawan Island, the island municipality of Maripipi in Biliran province; Biri Rock Formation in the island town of Biri, and the La Laguna Mangrove Eco-Park in Lavezares town, both in Northern Samar.
The La Laguna Mangrove Eco-Park is the newest site to be included in the cruise itinerary.
Since 2013, the region has been part of the country’s cruise tourism, starting with Kalanggaman Island.
From a single destination, the number has increased to over 10 sites across four of the six provinces in the region.
Tiopes added that their office is conducting assessments for additional areas to be included in future cruise destinations.
They have pitched the Pacific coastal towns in Northern Samar province, Higatangan Island in Biliran, and various heritage tourism sites in Samar province to cruise tour operators as potential sites for future international cruise ship arrivals.
This development highlights the growing interest in and potential of Eastern Visayas as a key player in the Philippines’ cruise tourism sector, Tiopes said.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
