ENJOYING THE SUN Foreign tourists relax on the powdery white sand beach of Kalanggaman Island in Palompon, Leyte, during the visit of international cruise ship MS Europa 2 on Feb. 1. 鈥擯hoto courtesy of Palompon municipal government
TACLOBAN CITY, LEYTE, Philippines 鈥� Eastern Visayas is fast becoming a popular destination for international cruise ships with recent visits affirming its growing reputation in the global cruise tourism market.
Karina Rosa Tiopes, the Department of Tourism regional director in Eastern Visayas, said the return of MS Europa 2, a luxury cruise ship operated by Germany-based Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, reflected the confidence of international cruise operators in the region鈥檚 ability to provide world-class shore excursions.
鈥淭his signifies a strong resurgence in cruise tourism and highlights the region鈥檚 growing reputation as a premier destination for international travelers,鈥� Tiopes told the Inquirer on Monday.
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Known for its pristine white sand and crystal-clear turquoise waters, Kalanggaman Island has been a favorite stop among international cruise travelers.
Global exposure
The MS Europa 2鈥檚 visit to Kalanggaman Island in Palompon, Leyte, on Feb. 1 marked its fifth call to Palompon since 2019, bringing 490 cruise guests, who spent nine hours snorkeling, sunbathing, swimming, and trying different water activities.
Tiopes stressed the need for a strong collaboration between local governments, tourism industry players, and communities which play a crucial role in ensuring seamless and enjoyable cruise visits.
鈥淭his visit is a testament to Eastern Visayas鈥� potential as a world-class cruise destination. The overwhelmingly positive feedback from cruise guests affirms our capability to curate engaging and memorable tourism experiences,鈥� she said.
Beyond the economic benefits, Tiopes said the global exposure from international cruise visits provided invaluable promotional mileage for lesser-known destinations in the region.
鈥淪ome of these places visited by cruise ships are not typically on the radar of local and domestic travelers. Once they learn that an international cruise has explored these hidden gems, curiosity grows, and they, too, start adding these destinations to their travel bucket lists,鈥� she said.
One of the destinations visited by MS Europa 2 was Sambawan Island, located in Maripipi town, Biliran.
Known for its white sand beach and stunning rock formations, the island has become a favorite site for both foreign and local tourists.
According to Ecole Gaviola, executive secretary of Maripipi Mayor Joseph Caingcoy, Sambawan Island has seen a notable increase in tourist arrivals following the visits of MS Europa 2.
鈥淲e can really say that their visit was a big factor in why the island is now attracting more tourists. In fact, after the visit of the international cruise ship, we have observed a rise in the number of arrivals on Sambawan Island,鈥� Gaviola said.
While exact figures on tourist arrivals were unavailable, Gaviola noted that MS Europa 2 has now visited Sambawan Island twice in 2023 and 2024, further cementing its appeal as a top cruise destination.
Eastern Visayas, Tiopes said, is set to welcome two more international cruise ships this year. MS Heritage Adventurer of Heritage Expeditions will bring 146 guests to explore key sites in Samar province, while MS Coral Adventurer of Coral Expeditions, carrying 120 guests, will also return to visit select destinations in the region. INQ