Key tourism stakeholders conducted a two-day cruise assessment in Northern Samar as part of preparations for the scheduled 2027–2028 luxury cruise calls of Compagnie du Ponant, a French cruise ship.
The assessment, held on July 18 and 19, covered the island towns of Capul and Biri and was led by TravelPeople Ltd. Inc., with the assistance of the Department of Tourism (DOT) Eastern Visayas regional office, Northern Samar Provincial Tourism Office, and the respective municipal tourism offices.
“The activity aimed to evaluate the readiness of the destinations to receive international cruise passengers by assessing tourism attractions, community immersion experiences, accessibility, transport facilities, and the overall capacity of the sites to accommodate larger groups of visitors,” the DOT regional office said in a statement on Monday.
Officials said the assessment forms part of ongoing preparations to ensure that the identified destinations meet the standards and requirements of luxury cruise operations while providing meaningful and sustainable tourism experiences for guests.
Following the Northern Samar assessment, the team on Monday proceeded to the municipality of Oras in Eastern Samar for a preliminary evaluation of its tourism attractions, accessibility, and port facilities.
The assessment will determine the town’s potential for inclusion in future luxury cruise itineraries and shore excursion programs under Compagnie du Ponant’s planned Philippine cruise operations.
The initiative underscores the continuing collaboration among the DOT, local government units, and tourism stakeholders to strengthen Eastern Visayas’ position as a destination for international cruise tourism and to create economic opportunities for local communities through sustainable tourism development.
Northern Samar has emerged as a prime destination for international expedition cruises, highlighted by port calls from luxury and eco-conscious vessels. Passengers typically experience culturally immersive shore excursions focusing on eco-tourism, local heritage, and authentic coastal experiences, according to DOT.
The Northern Samar provincial tourism office earlier said the positive feedback increases the likelihood of the cruise ship returning, helping promote these lesser-known destinations while managing tourist carrying capacity. (PNA)
