The French luxury expedition cruise line has inspected ports, attractions and shore excursion options in Western Visayas as it considers future calls in the Philippines.
French luxury expedition cruise operator Ponant is assessing Iloilo City and the neighbouring island province of Guimaras as potential ports of call for its Asian itineraries, according to Daily Tribune.
Representatives from the cruise line’s shore excursion and port operations teams recently inspected tourism attractions and port facilities across the two destinations to evaluate their suitability for luxury expedition vessels.
The visit was coordinated by the Department of Tourism-Western Visayas and included representatives from Travel People, Wallem Philippines Shipping Inc. and Wilhelmsen-Smith Bell.
The delegation reviewed port infrastructure, visitor facilities, cultural and natural attractions, shore excursion possibilities and the overall experience available to international cruise passengers. Its findings will help determine whether Iloilo and Guimaras are added to future Ponant itineraries in Asia.
The Department of Tourism said international cruise calls could deliver substantial benefits to local communities by generating business for transport operators, guides, restaurants, hotels, souvenir retailers and producers of local food and handicrafts.
“Every cruise call creates business opportunities for transport providers, tour guides, restaurants, accommodation establishments, souvenir shops, farmers, fisherfolk and other local enterprises,” the department said.
Tourism officials also see expedition cruising as an opportunity to promote Western Visayas’ cultural heritage, regional cuisine and natural landscapes to high-spending international visitors.
The assessment forms part of a wider campaign to establish Western Visayas as an emerging cruise destination and attract additional luxury and expedition operators, including Hapag-Lloyd Cruises.
Source: Daily Tribune PH
French luxury expedition cruise operator Ponant is assessing Iloilo City and the neighbouring island province of Guimaras as potential ports of call for its Asian itineraries, according to Daily Tribune.
Representatives from the cruise line’s shore excursion and port operations teams recently inspected tourism attractions and port facilities across the two destinations to evaluate their suitability for luxury expedition vessels.
The visit was coordinated by the Department of Tourism-Western Visayas and included representatives from Travel People, Wallem Philippines Shipping Inc. and Wilhelmsen-Smith Bell.
The delegation reviewed port infrastructure, visitor facilities, cultural and natural attractions, shore excursion possibilities and the overall experience available to international cruise passengers. Its findings will help determine whether Iloilo and Guimaras are added to future Ponant itineraries in Asia.
The Department of Tourism said international cruise calls could deliver substantial benefits to local communities by generating business for transport operators, guides, restaurants, hotels, souvenir retailers and producers of local food and handicrafts.
“Every cruise call creates business opportunities for transport providers, tour guides, restaurants, accommodation establishments, souvenir shops, farmers, fisherfolk and other local enterprises,” the department said.
Tourism officials also see expedition cruising as an opportunity to promote Western Visayas’ cultural heritage, regional cuisine and natural landscapes to high-spending international visitors.
The assessment forms part of a wider campaign to establish Western Visayas as an emerging cruise destination and attract additional luxury and expedition operators, including Hapag-Lloyd Cruises.
Source: Daily Tribune PH
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