State-run Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) said Friday it will develop more cruise terminals next year as it recorded more than 80,000 ship passengers visiting the Philippines this year.
PPA general-manager Jay Santiago said the agency would develop more cruise terminals near tourism sites in Siargao, Camiguin, Boracay, Palawan and Puerto Galera.
“This is in addition to the cruise terminals in the ports of Currimao in Ilocos Norte, Salomague in Ilocos Sur, Manila, Bohol and El Nido, Palawan,” Santiago said.
It said that from February to December this year, over 80,000 cruise ship passengers from Norweigan Cruise lines, Holland America Line, Silverseas, Windstar Cruises and Aida Cruises visited the Philippines.
PPA said that on Christmas Day, around 1,000 foreign and local passengers aboard MV AidaBella of Aida Cruises from Germany visited the Port of Coron to discover the natural wonders Palawan.
The Port of Coron is now ready to accommodate up to 900 persons in its passenger terminal area following a massive renovation which was completed earlier this year. Santiago said that from a maximum of 250 passengers before, the Port of Coron could now accommodate an additional 500 passengers and up to 900 people during peak season.
“It is good that the passengers can now experience again the warmth of the Filipino culture and the hospitality of the people receiving them. From the ports upon arrival, we make sure they are given the proper treatment and we make sure that they are welcomed warmly in our newly improved passenger terminals,” Santiago said.
“Our recent painful experience in the mishandling of cruise passengers at the Port of Manila has taught us that the training and selection of tourism frontliners together with private service providers especially at our ports have to be made with very stringent qualification requirements and experience since they are the first Filipinos which foreign tourists encounter upon their arrival. The successful reception of MV AidaBella has brought us back on track in spite of the recent distraction at the Port of Manila,” he said.
