LAOAG CITY — The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) is set to conduct a dry run operation on Friday to ensure a smooth flow of international tourist arrivals at the Currimao seaport.
Jerome Balisi of PPA Currimao seaport said at least two international cruise ships will be arriving this March.
Around 300 Chinese guests on board the Silver Shadow, a luxury ship operated by Silversea Cruises in Southeast Asia, will be onboard the maiden voyage to Ilocos Norte on March 14 and 17, followed by a much larger Superstar Virgo of Star Cruises set on March 20.
As of this posting, the PPA said dredging on the landing site of center boats to shuttle visitors to the port terminal is still on going.
In December 2016, it maybe recalled the PPA has dredge around seven meters drop control and constructed a platform for easier access of larger ships at the seaport.
Following various agreements and initiatives within the Association of South East Asian Nation (ASEAN) community to encourage free flow of goods and services including relaxing visa applications of ASEAN nationals, the Philippine government has also embarked on upgrading its ports and other tourism-related facilities to lure more tourists and make the country the next cruise destination of the world.
For Ilocos Norte, the Provincial Tourism Office along with public and private tourism stakeholders here had also formed associations and partnerships to satisfy the needs of both foreign and domestic tourist arrivals either by land, air or sea. PNA-northboundasia.com