Photo source: Russell Palma | philstar.com
The Department of Tourism is is set to welcome 139 cruise ships carrying around 117,000 tourists from across the world this 2023.
“Docking in 46 areas in the country, they would visit tourist destinations that include Manila, Batanes, Palawan, Kalanggaman Island in Leyte, Bohol, Cebu, Hundred Islands in Pangasinan, Marinduque and the world-famous Boracay Island,” Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco said.
One of them is the Silver Spirit cruise ship which recently arrived at the Eva Macapagal Super Terminal at Manila South Harbor carrying 317 passengers and 404 crew members.
In a press briefing, Frasco said that a cruise ship passenger would spend an average of $100 which could benefit local government and businesses in tourist destinations.
The government has lifted some COVID-19 travel restrictions such as mandatory quarantine and testing. Face masks are not required but recommended in some places.
