PH aims to boost cruise tourism growth

The Department of Tourism (DOT) said it would pursue stronger regional cooperation to guide the next phase of Asia’s cruise tourism growth, as it hosted the Asia Cruise Cooperation (ACC) Annual Regional Meeting on Monday.

The meeting brought together key government and industry stakeholders from across the region.

Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco also announced that in January 2026, the DOT, Department of Transportation, and Philippine Ports Authority will reconstitute the Cruise Tourism Development Committee to strengthen inter-agency coordination and implement the National Cruise Tourism Development Strategy.

She stressed that collaboration among destinations, ports, and cruise lines is crucial to ensuring that cruise tourism growth remains sustainable, inclusive, and beneficial to host communities.

“If there is one lesson the ACC teaches, it is this: no destination succeeds alone. Collaboration across ports, cruise lines, and governments ensures every traveller’s experience is seamless, enjoyable, and meaningful,” Frasco said in her keynote address.

Launched in 2016, the Asia Cruise Cooperation is a regional alliance composed of Hong Kong, Taiwan, Hainan and Xiamen in China, the Philippines, and South Korea, serving as a platform for coordinated cruise itinerary development, market intelligence sharing, and the collective advancement of cruise tourism across Asia.

Frasco said the Philippines will continue to deepen cooperation with cruise lines as partners in itinerary development, strengthen the exchange of market insights and operational best practices, and align the full visitor journey across destinations, while keeping sustainability at the center of cruise tourism growth.

“Asia’s cruise market is growing rapidly, with millions of travellers seeking unique experiences across our diverse shores. This meeting allows us to chart a course for cruise tourism that supports communities, generates jobs, and strengthens connections across the region,” she said.

Frasco said efforts are ongoing to strengthen cruise tourism policy and infrastructure in the Philippines.

She said that nearly 7,000 cruise visa waivers have been issued since the launch of the Cruise Visa Waiver Program, easing travel for cruise passengers and reinforcing the country’s accessibility.

Port readiness is also being advanced through the completed cruise terminal in Jubang, Dapa, Surigao del Norte, ongoing construction in Coron, Aklan, Camiguin, and Puerto Galera, and continued upgrades at Manila South Harbor.

According to the DOT, as of November 20, the Philippines has 136 cruise calls scheduled for the year, with sea arrivals projected to reach 43,369, reflecting a 26.85 percent increase.

Manila continues to serve as the country’s leading cruise gateway, followed by Puerto Princesa and Boracay, signaling renewed confidence among cruise operators and growing demand for itineraries that combine urban ports with leisure and nature-based destinations, the department added.

"Looking ahead to 2026, cruise tourism is expected to build on these recovery gains, with preliminary figures indicating 127 ship calls carrying an estimated 5,562 passengers and 1,409 crew, underscoring sustained engagement by cruise operators," Frasco said.

“Cruise tourism, for us in the Philippines, is not only about arrivals. It is about the entire Philippine experience, the jobs created, the businesses sustained, and the communities empowered,” she added.

The meeting was attended by delegations from Hong Kong and South Korea, led by Marilyn Tham, General Manager for Mega Events, MICE and Cruise of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, and Lee Jong-Geun, Deputy Director of South Korea’s Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries.

The Hong Kong delegation included Patricia Yuen, Director for Cruise, and Joanne Wu, Senior Manager for Cruise. South Korea was represented by officials from the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and KORAIL Tourism Development, including Park Eun Hwa, Manager; Kim Eun Jung, Deputy General Manager; and Kang Bo Gyeong, Assistant Manager. From the DOT, Undersecretary Verna Buensuceso and Director Paulo Benito Tugbang were also present. —LDF, GMA Integrated News