Cruise ship tourism in Boracay and Aklan to grow in coming years

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

Boracay Island and the province of Aklan would benefit immensely in the growing cruise ship tourism market in the coming years, according to Caticlan Jetty port administrator Niven Maquirang.

“Maganda ang future ng cruise ship industry natin dahil ang Pilipinas ay isa sa mga ruta ng cruise ships sa Asia especially ang Hong Kong cruise hub at Singapore,” he said.

Maquirang recently attended the Cruise Shipping Miami conference and exhibition from March 10 to 13 in Miami Convention Center in Miami Beach, Florida, USA.  

This year’s delegates of the cruise industry’s premier global event include Cedric Sazon of Southwest Tours (Boracay) and tourism regional director Atty. Helen Catalbas.

Tourism Undersecretary Maria Victoria Jasmin, Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) general manager Juan Sta. Ana and Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) chief operating officer Mark Lapid also joined the 30-man Philippine delegation in Miami, Florida.

The annual gathering featured cruise shipping conference sessions led by industry experts on Ships and Ship Operations, The Global Geography of Cruise Tourism, Market Segments and Cruise Product Development.

The four-day conference and three-day exhibition in Miami drew 11,000 attendees, more than 900 exhibiting companies from 123 countries and over 300 international journalists to become the cruise industry's annual marketplace of ideas, products and services. 

Maquirang said the addition of Caticlan and Boracay Island since October 2012 in the number of port calls by cruise liners will positively impact the province’ tourism sector. 

He also noted that the national government will develop the port facilities to cater bigger cruise ships in the next two to three years.

“Palakasin natin ang cruise ship market at i-develop ang ibang destinations dito sa Aklan,” he stressed. 

To get more cruise ships to drop anchor in the country, the Department of Tourism (DoT) is spearheading the first workshop on cruise ship market this coming May. 

The workshop will be attended by executives of high-end international cruise ships companies of Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises and Costa Cruises.