Santa Ana Cagayan debuts as cruise tourism destination
Santa Ana town hosted a cruise for the first time in history, according to Mayor Darwin Tobias. The M/V Silver Discoverer dropped its anchor in Sta. Ana on March 18. The M/V Silver Discoverer is a leading luxury expedition vessel under the company of Silversea Expeditions. The marine vessel has more than 100 guests and 100 crew arrived at San Vicente Port.
The guests were welcomed with a cultural presentation of Sta. Ana’s Festival Dance together with drum and bugle performers.The visitors toured around the Palaui Island accompanied by the local guides. They trekked to the iconic Cape Engaño Lighthouse and enjoyed the beach of Siwangag Cove. While having lunch at the Nature Village, they also got the chance to meet the locals. It was an opportunity to donate school supplies and reading materials to the indigenous peoples.
The passengers of the vessel are varied nationalities from Australia, Europe, America and Asia, most of which are young professionals, retired public servant and businessmen. They are very interested to explore remote and untamed areas of the country.
Cruising is one of the country’s new tourism products. It has a low carbon footprint because of short stayof tourists providing good income to the local tourism stakeholders by way tour guide, environmental fees, boat transfers and native delicacies. Cruise tourism is becoming an important economic driver while protecting the environment.