Subic Freeport eyes P3.3M in revenue from cruise ships

Cruise ship MV Serenade of the Sea, with 2,500 passengers on board, docks at the Leyte Pier inside the Subic Bay Freeport in this photo taken on March 25. (Photo courtesy of SBMA Tourism Department)

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is projected to earn P3.3 million in revenues from cruise ship arrivals this year.

In a statement on Tuesday, April 2, SBMA Chair and Administrator Eduardo Jose Aliño said eight cruise ships are set to arrive in this freeport in the coming months, which would boost the local tourism sector.

“It is certainly a welcome sight to see a cruise ship docking here in Subic Bay. It means that this freeport is still one of the ideal tourist sites for international cruise ships to visit,” Aliño said.

On March 25, passenger cruise ship MV Serenade of the Seas, which is sailing under the flag of the Bahamas and operated by Royal Caribbean International, arrived in this freeport with 2,490 passengers and 891 crew members on board.

READ: Cruise ship carrying 2,500 tourists makes port at Subic Bay

According to Aliño, the estimated seaport revenue earned from the arrival of the MV Serenade of the Seas is P438,000.

The visitors boarded buses for a tour around the freeport, either to buy souvenirs or immerse themselves in the many tourist attractions here.

Aliño said the arrival of more cruise ships would open business opportunities for micro, small, and medium enterprises, or MSMEs.

“We are expecting seven more cruise ships to arrive, including the MV Costa Serena, arriving on November 13. The ship will berth at the Riviera Wharf and will carry around 3,700 passengers and 1,100 crew members on board,” Aliño added. INQ