SUBIC BAY FREEPORT —The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is banking on its membership in the Asian Cruise Terminals Association (ACTA) to firm up its bid to become a destination for international cruise ships.
Raul Marcelo, SBMA deputy administrator for business, said that the recent launching of ACTA, which seeks to provide a unified marketing platform for the cruise ship industry in the Asian region, would set the stage for the development of Subic’s nascent cruise ship business.
“We’d grow as ACTA grows,” Marcelo said, pointing out that ACTA would serve as a network that Subic could bank on for support.
“We have a very good reason to be optimistic about this because of Subic’s deep harbor and ports and its tourism facilities and attractions,” Marcelo said. “Then, Subic’s connectivity to other destinations in Luzon would also boost its potential as a good cruise terminal.”
Marcelo, who represented the SBMA at the ACTA inauguration in Singapore last October, said that Subic was the lone port to represent the Philippine when it became a founding member of ACTA last year.
ACTA, which was the brainchild of the Singapore Cruise Centre Pte Ltd. (SCC), was formed by cruise terminal operators in the Philippines, Singapore, China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Sri Lanka and India.
Marcelo said that Subic’s entry into ACTA was a strategic move because the agency was targeting major players in the industry to make Subic part of their cruise itinerary.
He said that Subic hopes to cash in on the cruise business as ship operators turn to Asian destinations following an economic slowdown in Europe and the United States, which are the traditional cruise ship stops.
Upon Subic’s establishment as a cruise ship destination, the SBMA also foresees a trickle-down effect on local businesses which could provide supplies, fuel, food, and even manpower to visiting cruise ships, Marcelo said.
The SBMA said earlier that Subic made “a strong impression” on SCC and ACTA officials who visited Subic early this year to determine the free port’s potential as a cruise ship destination.
In particular, Subic reportedly cast a spell on SCC vice president Ivan Ng, who noted Subic’s port infrastructure, deep natural harbor, support facilities, security, and tourist attractions.
Marcelo also said that Subic stands to get a windfall from the cruise industry, as ACTA also eyes the growing number of wealthy Asians as a “source market.”
He added that other ACTA members have already announced plans to expand their facilities because of the expected inflow of more tourists. This is especially true with the Singapore Cruise Centre, which is in the midst of a S$14-million upgrade; Shanghai Wusongkou (WSK) International Cruise Terminal, which forecasts a passenger throughput of 300,000 in 2012 and 800,000 in 2016; Taiwan’s Port of Keelung, which sees a 460,000 throughput by the end of 2011 from 116,300 in 2006; and the Japanese port of Sakai, which has increased its passenger traffic by more than 10 times.
“With this optimism, we are more determined now to convert Subic into a destination for these Asian customers,” Marcelo said.
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By: Henry Empeno
Source: Business Mirror, December 6, 2011
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