Ilocos seaport identified for cruise tourism development

By Leilanie G. Adriano

Staff reporter

April 21, 2015

LAOAG CITY—Owing to a growing interest in cruise ship tourism in various strategic locations in the country, the international seaport of Currimao is a step closer in positioning the Ilocos region as a perfect getaway for cruise liners.

Ma. Milagros Gonzales, provincial director of the Department of Tourism (DOT)-Laoag sub-office said that following the February 2015 visit of the Vice President for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines at the Currimao seaport, a management consultant of Australia will be assisting the DOT in the preparation of a cruise tourism strategy to run the proposed project smoothly.

On April 22-23, Gonzales said a board inspection and briefing will be held at the Philippine Ports Authority based in Currimao town as the group will also proceed to Salomague port in nearby San Fernando City, La Union to discuss possible partnership and arrangement before embarking on cruise tourism here.

Citing the numerous conduct of shore excursion here, the DOT is optimistic cruise tourism in this northern part of Luzon is now ready to take the plunge with the recent expansion development at the Currimao seaport and a growing menu of new tourism sites in the province.

If plans do not miscarry, a two-hour travel connecting the ports of Currimao and Salomague will provide new experience for tourists as they will have more time to visit other tourism spots in adjacent municipalities such as in Batac City and Paoay.

With the booming Northeast Asia zone, the Ilocos Norte government is eager to welcome this new development and make the international seaport of Currimao as the next stop for cruise tourism.

Earlier, the PPA announced that the Currimao seaport in Ilocos Norte along with the ports of Puerto Princesa in Palawan and Catagbacan in Bohol province has embarked on various port-development programs for the development of cruise terminals in support of the DOT’s continuing efforts to make the Philippines known as the “Caribbean of Asia.”

With the proximity of Laoag which is just more than an hour with a direct flight to China and its neighboring North East Asia, Ilocos officials are optimistic that more jobs and investments follow suit with the entry of cruise liners.

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