Cebu aims to become PHL’s cruise ships’ destination

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CEBU CITY, Sept. 1 (PNA) — Cebu province is aggressively positioning itself as a cruise ships’ destination given its comparative advantage in tourism.

“Yes, we do want to be included in the map… Cebu is second destination outside Manila. We offer almost the same things that Manila can offer with pluses because the beach area is very near,” said Department of Tourism (DOT) Region 7 Director Rowena Montecillo.

Montecillo said the DOT regional office is in talks with some of the biggest international cruise companies that can bring in more tourists to Cebu.

“Most of them are actually very interested in Cebu because tour packages are already in place.

They can even sell another province Bohol which is very near Cebu,” she said in a press briefing here.

Cebu plays host to several substantial ministerial meetings of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum from Aug. 24 to Sept. 11.

In line with this goal, Montecillo said the province is addressing the problem relating to cruise ships docking area.

“Right now, we have some problems with our port area. But the Cebu Port Authority is looking at another place, a town very near Cebu City to transfer all of these cargo ships so that the Cebu International Port (can) really concentrate on the cruise liners,” she said.

Montecillo said the DOT is also gearing up for its plan to increase flights direct to Cebu.

“Since third quarter of last year, we have added flights from Osaka and Nagoya (Japan) direct to Cebu and additional flight direct from Tokyo to Cebu. According to our Market Development Group, there will be more for Cebu this year,” she added. (PNA)

CTB/LDV