Partnership between the Department of Tourism (DOT)–XI and the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) is underway in prepping up the Davao Port here as an international hub for cruise liners.
Davao is among the eight ports identified as Tourism Gateways by the DOT including Bohol, Boracay, Cebu, Metro Manila, Puerto Princesa, Subic, and Zamboanga. It forms part of the nation’s major nautical cruise arteries.
Following the successful maiden voyage to the country of MV Princess Danae, a Portuguese luxury cruise ship which first docked in Davao Port on March 29, 2012 said two offices vowed to pursue more aggressive moves to capture foreign nationals on tour in the Southern Mindanao (SoMin) areas.
“Tourism is a complementary sector to the maritime industry which certainly puts us on the map and PPA will always be an active ally in terms of infrastructure support,” PPA Port District Office-Southern Mindanao Engineering Services Division Manager Engr. Asterio Gallardo, Jr. assured.
During the recent meeting between representatives from both agencies held on April 12, 2012 at the PPA Port Management Office (PMO)-Davao, DOT-XI Regional Director Art Boncato, Jr. expressed optimism that the Davao Port will be able to handle prospective influx of foreign guests via cruise ships.
RD Boncato cited the strict adherence to safety and security procedures of the Davao Port and the organized conduct of local tour operators to guests as hallmarks in ensuring a snowball effect on tourism.
MV Princess Danae will surely not be the last of the many luxury ships to come and to prove that truly the It’s More Fun in the Philippines” campaign is true in every way, he added.
The DOT-PPA tandem will form part of a Technical Working Group (TWG) that will prepare a masterplan which aims to invite cruise lines over to the Davao Region.
The TWG also includes the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for a holistic approach on tourism packages, particularly addressing road access to inland attractions.
DOT Central Office Supervising Tourism Operations Officer assigned in the Officer of Product Research and Development Ma. Valle A. Congzon who also attended the said meeting shared that she will be campaigning for the Royal Caribbean International, the world’s second largest cruise line to include Davao City as a port of call in its 2013 destinations.
The real challenge, according to Congzon is how to tailor-fit the port according to the specific needs of the cruise ship and to sustain the positive impressions particularly in providing outstanding passenger comfort, safety, security, and sightseeing and shopping opportunities given the limited time of docking.
To jumpstart the action plans, the team also conducted ocular inspections of the neighboring ports such as the Km. 11 Sasa Boat Landing Facility, Mae Wess Ferry Terminal in Km. 10, Barangay Sasa and the Sta. Ana Wharf in the downtown area – the three major conduits from Davao City mainland going to the Island Garden City of Samal which is already part of Davao del Norte Province.
Likewise, site visits were done to the receiving ports in Samal Island like the Babak Wharf in Barangay Villarica which is facing Sasa, Davao City, the Mae Wess Ferry Terminal also in Babak District, and the Tagpopongan Roll-On Roll-Off (RoRo) Port on the southern part opposite of the Pantukan RoRo Port in Compostela Valley Province.
Except for Tagpopongan, these said are the most heavily used by current and prospective tourists – both foreign and local who wish to explore the countryside sites, sun, sand, and sea combined.
DOT-XI Chief Tourism Officer Eden David conveyed that cruise tourism in not only about arrivals but an integrated experience of sights, sounds and senses that add up to the whole picture of satisfaction.
Hence, part of the roadmaps of cruise tourism is to truly create tour packages embodying the best of the islands with the “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” concept, David stressed.
