By R. G. Antonet Go/PNA
ZAMBOANGA CITY — The Department of Tourism (DOT) is eyeing to offer cruises within Malaysia, Palawan, and Mindanao in the hope of boosting tourist exchange in these areas.
Myra Paz Abubakar, DOT assistant secretary and concurrent regional director, said Wednesday the cruise will start in Malaysia and proceed to Palawan and Mindanao.
Abubakar said they are eyeing the cities of Dapitan, Davao and Zamboanga as the stop-over points of the cruise ship here in Mindanao.
“This is a welcome development once it pushes through,” she said, noting that the initiative will spur both economic and tourism development.
Abubakar said the cruise is part of the programs of the Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines-East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), a sub-regional economic cooperation initiative in Southeast Asia.
She said a study would be conducted to ensure that the cruise benefits all stakeholders.
One of the things needed, she said, is for Palawan and the cities of Dapitan, Davao, and Zamboanga to be ready as the visitors of the cruise will comprise mostly of Muslims.
