Phl, Asia’s best cruise destination
‘We extend our sincere appreciation to all our tourism stakeholders for their hard work and collaboration’
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‘We extend our sincere appreciation to all our tourism stakeholders for their hard work and collaboration’
London-based World Cruise Awards, the sister award-giving body of World Travel Awards, has hailed the Philippines as this year's Asia's Best Cruise Destination, held in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates on Sunday, 15 October — the country's first time.
According to Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, the notable achievement earned by the country built its reputation as an emerging powerhouse in the global cruise and tourism sector.
"This first-time recognition as Asia's Best Cruise Destination 2023 is a big win for Philippine tourism as it reflects a resounding global preference for our island destinations," said Frasco.
The awards program recognizes outstanding contributions to the cruise industry and is a highly anticipated event for cruise professionals, media and consumers worldwide.
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"We extend our sincere appreciation to all our tourism stakeholders for their hard work and collaboration. The shared tourism governance between the government and the private sector espoused by the Marcos Administration is bearing fruit. We are committed to maintaining and enhancing the Philippines' standing as an outstanding cruise destination in Asia and the world," the tourism chief added.
Aside from the Philippines, other countries that vied for the award included India, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.
The DoT said that as of 16 October 2023, the country is projected to have 128 ports of call or cruise calls in 2023 across 33 destinations across the archipelago, expected to bring in more than 101,000 passengers and some 50,000 in estimated crew.
World-renowned
"The Philippines is world-renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty, pristine beaches, diverse marine life and warm hospitality. Our archipelago of 7,641 islands offers a wide array of cruise experiences, from exploring picturesque coastlines and coral reefs to immersing in local culture and traditions," enthused Frasco.
Among the cruise ships scheduled to arrive in the country are Seabourn Encore, Silver Shadow, MSC Poesia, Queen Elizabeth, Norwegian Jewel, Coral Adventure, MS Seven Seas Explorer, MS Star Breeze, Silver Whisper, Oceania Cruises, Aidabella, and the Blue Dream Cruise which made its maiden voyage to the Philippines earlier this month.
Recently, the islands of Boracay, Palawan, and Siargao garnered Conde Nast Travel's Best Islands in Asia Award.
"The recognition of the Philippines as Asia's Best Cruise Destination complements and reaffirms our status as a must-visit destination for cruise enthusiasts. This prestigious award is not only a testament to the Philippines' allure as a cruise destination but also a validation of the collective dedication of the tourism industry and the DoT," Frasco said.
"This augurs well for our strategic objective to equalize tourism development, as we put the spotlight on lesser-known destinations by expanding our cruise tourism portfolio to include new tourism destinations in time to come," Frasco said.
"We are grateful that the country's potential to offer exceptional cruise experiences is now acknowledged on a global scale," she added.
