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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