TACLOBAN CITY (PIA)—The Department of Tourism (DOT) in Eastern Visayas is preparing for a cruise ship visit to “lesser-known” attraction sites in Biliran and Northern Samar provinces.
These sites include La Luna Mangrove Eco Park and Biri Island in Northern Samar, Maripipi, and Sambawan Islands in Biliran. The cruise ship’s arrival is anticipated in October and November this year.
The Coral Geographer, an Australian cruise ship with a capacity for 250 passengers, initiated the request to visit the region.
The visit aims to provide a fulfilling experience for tourists and boost tourism while promoting cultural inclusivity and embracing diversity, according to DOT-8.
An Pilipinas is really becoming a fast and growing cruise destination here in Asia. Ipinaparayaw namon pag-isturya ha iyo nga usa kita han mga pinipili pirmi especially for expedition cruises,” said Karina Rose S. Tiopes, DOT-8 Regional Director.
(The Philippines is really becoming a fast-growing cruise destination here in Asia. We are proud to tell you that Eastern Visayas has always been selected, especially for expedition cruises.)
Tiopes emphasized the importance of introducing “lesser-known” attraction sites to new visitors to showcase the areas’ scenic views and picturesque landscapes.
She added that tourists are expected to fully engage with a place’s cultures, assets, traditions, and history during their visit.
“Cruise ship passengers in the past often wanted to get to know the community, learn more about us, and share their travel experiences with their families and friends, promoting Eastern Visayas as a tourist destination,” she said.
Ma. Catherina M. Apostol, DOT-8 Chief Tourism Operations Officer, reported that the Kalanggaman Island of Palompon, Leyte, was the first attraction site in Eastern Visayas to be visited by a cruise ship in 2013.
“An pinakauna nga nag visit ha aton ha Region 8 was the MS Europa, which were Europeans and Americans. Tapos nasundan hin mga Australians and French. Yana, nag halo-halo na an mga nabisita ha aton through the Cruise Destination Program,” Apostol said.
(The first to have visited Region 8 was the MS Europa with European and American passengers. Later on, it was followed by Australian and French passengers. And now, different nationalities are already visiting the region through the Cruise Destination Program.)
The other provinces visited were the Cuatro Islas in Leyte province, Limasawa Island in Southern Leyte, and Capul Island in Northern Samar. (AAC/JKPA, PIA Leyte)
