LEYTE is the latest destination added to the Department of Tourism’s (DoT) cruise programme that aims to bring cruising business to areas affected by the Bohol earthquake or super typhoon Haiyan last year.
DoT begun its tourism recovery cruise programme in the immediate aftermath of the disasters and in January started talks with DMCs and cruise sales experts on the tourism and cruise options available in Leyte, one of the worst-hit destinations.
Leyte joins other affected spots including Cebu, Tagbilaran in Bohol and Coron in Palawan, confirmed DoT director Corazon Jorda-Apo, who works with the cruise niche market development programme.
Sharp Travel Services’ president, Lou Banzon, who brought in a Hapag-Lloyd cruise to Leyte last year and in January this year and will see another one this month, said: “Expedition cruises of up to 600 or 650 are more apt for this destination at this point of time (due to existing damage to Leyte’s port).”
Cruises to Leyte may be preferable to land tour arrangements from Leyte airport in Tacloban City – which is currently running at limited capacity – that add two to three hours of travel to the nearest viable attractions, said Banzon. She has continued to send proposals for other cruise ships to visit Leyte.
A typical Leyte cruise itinerary includes a shore stop in the virgin beaches in the Kalanggaman Island cluster allowing passengers to picnic, swim and snorkel.
