MARINA, Variety Cruises eye inter-island cruising in PH

MANILA – The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) and Greece-based cruise line Variety Cruises are exploring opportunities for inter-island cruise ship tourism in the Philippines.

In a statement on Thursday, MARINA Administrator Sonia Malaluan said Variety Cruises, through its CEO Filippos Venetepoulous, has expressed a desire to operate a cruise line in the country through one of its adventure/sail cruise ships.

In response, Malaluan committed to providing the necessary support from the government, including providing information relating to ship registration and operations in the country and suggesting inter-island tourism packages and other products and services that would showcase Philippine maritime tourism.

"We will work with the Department of Tourism to come up with the right package, including the menu of support that the government can offer," she said.

Venetepoulous, meanwhile, said the Philippines is an "untapped market for inter-island cruising" and that the country has a lot of experiences to offer, such as water activities, food, history, culture, and the people themselves.

Both parties have agreed to continue discussing the possibility of Variety Cruises operating a business in the country.

Venetepoulous is in the country for Seatrade Maritime Global Crew Connect and the Seatrade Cruise Asia from Nov. 12 to 15. (PNA)