With cruise hub Boracay facing closure next week, April 26, the Department of Tourism-Region VI (DOT-6) will be conducting a meeting on cruise tourism, where more aggressive preparations are planned for other destinations in the region to participate in the cruise tourism circuit.

“It is very important that cruise tourism destinations development have thorough planning and serious policy on promotion and management to preserve the cruise destinations,” said DOT-6 director, Atty. Helen J. Catalbas.

Feasibility tests are scheduled this weekend for Iloilo City and Roca Encantada, located in Buenavista, Guimaras.

Other areas under consideration include Capiz, northern Iloilo, Aklan, Antique, San Carlos City, and Sipalay City.

“Once these cruise circuits are found to be sustainable, DOT-6 will continue promoting them even after Boracay [resumes] tourism operations,” Catalbas added./WDJ