In observance of the Holy Week, the Philippine News Agency’s online news service will be off on March 29, Good Friday, and March 30, Black Saturday. Normal operations will resume on March 31, Easter Sunday.

— The Editors

Ilocos Norte readies for return of cruise tourism

By Leilanie Adriano

March 23, 2023, 8:20 pm

<p><strong>CRUISE TOURISM</strong>. The maiden voyage of the Silver Spirit cruise ship arrives at the Salomague Port in Ilocos Sur province on Feb. 14, 2023. More cruise ships are expected to dock at major Ilocos ports this year. <em>(File photo by Karen Lucas)</em></p>

CRUISE TOURISM. The maiden voyage of the Silver Spirit cruise ship arrives at the Salomague Port in Ilocos Sur province on Feb. 14, 2023. More cruise ships are expected to dock at major Ilocos ports this year. (File photo by Karen Lucas)

LAOAG CITY – Travel operators can look forward to welcoming more visitors in Ilocos Norte province as the Department of Tourism (DOT) started talks with cruise line operators to once again consider stopping by this northern gateway of Luzon.

"Talks are underway between cruise line operators and the DOT for their return at the ports of Currimao and a nearby private seaport of Omnico Resources Inc. in Badoc, Ilocos Norte,” said Xavier Ruiz, officer-in-charge of the Ilocos Norte Tourism Office.

For 2023, the DOT is expecting a total of 139 port calls at 46 destinations in the country. The figure is higher than the 102 port calls in 2019.

In pre-pandemic times, cruise tourism emerged as a sunrise industry in Ilocos Region as the Ilocos Norte ports became major ports of calls for international cruise ships.

Earlier this year, the Silversea Cruises's Silver Spirit, carrying about 500 passengers, docked at the Salomague Port in Cabugao town, Ilocos Sur province. It was the first international cruise ship that arrived at the Ilocos port in three years since the pandemic began.

As part of the government’s economic recovery plans, both the Salomague port in Ilocos Sur and the Currimao port in Ilocos Norte were upgraded in 2021 to increase cruise calls in the region, which is strategically located near the popular beaches and heritage sites of the Ilocos Region.

With the continuing expansion of the Vigan Airport and the Laoag International Airport, as well as the road widening projects, local authorities expressed confidence that the improved port will entice more visitors and help spur economic recovery in the region. (PNA)

Comments