THE arrival of close to 40,000 cruise passengers in the country this year is expected to generate at least $4 million (P216 million) in visitor receipts to the economy.
Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said the scheduled 139 port calls by international cruise ships shows the readiness of the Philippines to become a major cruise destination in Asia. She personally welcomed 317 guests and 415 crew members of the Silver Spirit on February 15, at the Eva Macapagal Super Terminal, Manila South Harbor.
“The arrival of this cruise ship into this port signals the resurgence of the cruise tourism industry. This signals confidence, as well in travel and tourism into the Philippines. We’re very grateful for the support of the City of Manila to open up its harbor to our visitors from all over the world and we’re hopeful that this arrival may signal many more in the year to come,” she said.
She underscored the economic benefits from cruise tourism, estimating “the average spend is $100 dollars per cruise call per person….[This] shows the downstream effect not only on our national government revenues, but also on our local government revenues.”
While popular destinations such as Manila, Puerto Princesa, Boracay, Bohol, and Cebu will be visited by the cruise ships, she noted that other lesser known destinations are also on the cruise itineraries such as Apo Reef (Occidental Mindoro),
Balabac Island (Palawan), Biri Island (Northern Samar), Claveria (Cagayan), Capul Island (Northern Samar), and Coron. (See, “Cruise ships dropping anchor anew in PHL,” in the BusinessMirror, February 15, 2023.)
Aside from trying to encourage more cruise ships to call on the Philippines, the DOT chief cited the goal to expand the reach of the “Filipino brand of service excellence” across the world: “We will develop the Philippines as a major regional cruise center in Asia that supplies not only cruise ship experiences but also crew training, crewing, cruise line business outsourcing and cruise ship maintenance services in Asia.”
Of the 415 crew of the Silver Spirit, 181 are Filipinos, “and so we’re very proud that this cruise that hosts different nationalities is being given a memorable experience through the Filipino brand of hospitality,” said Frasco.
The Silver Spirit is the third cruise ship to arrive in the Philippines, following port calls of the Seabourn Encore carrying 512 passengers and 482 crew, and Silver Shadow with 320 passengers and 288 crew. The Silver Spirit, operated by the Monaco-based Silversea Cruises, is currently on a 14-day luxury cruise, and departed Hong Kong on February 12 and will return there on February 26. The ship arrived in Manila from Salomague, and after an overnight stay, departed Thursday for Romblon, then Coron.
At the welcome ceremony, Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna said, “It’s a very great opportunity for the City of Manila, for all other people, not only local tourists but also international tourists, to rediscover different areas or destinations here in Manila.” She noted, “Manila is the hub for history and culture in our country and it’s about time that all areas in the city be discovered, not only Intramuros, Luneta, or even Binondo but all other areas. This is a way for the Department of Tourism and the City of Manila to work hand in hand, so it’s a great opportunity for us.”