Japanese cruise ship to arrive in Iloilo on January 26
Iloilo City is now 100 percent ready for the arrival of Japanese cruise ship, MV Pacific Venus, on January 26, 2019, in time for the Iloilo Dinagyang Festival.
MV Pacific Venus with 183 meters in length will dock at Iloilo International Port in Barangay Loboc, Lapuz in the morning of January 26 and will leave in the afternoon of the following day. It carries a total of 720 passengers including the 180 crew.
An estimated 400 Japanese passengers will witness the Kasadyahan Festival and Dinagyang Festival.
Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Inc. recently announced that 400 seats are reserved in the New Freedom Grandstand for the visitors. They will also have a tour in the city which includes a visit in Jaro Cathedral and Jaro plaza, Molo Church and Mansion, Casa Mariquit, and a running tour of Jaro.
“This is a big break for the tourism industry of Iloilo City. Japan is known for its high standards, and Iloilo City, being one of the destinations of MV Pacific Venus, means a lot. This only proves that Iloilo City has the capacity to market tourism products and services to the world through the cruise industry,” Department of Tourism 6 (DOT-6) director Atty. Helen J. Catalbas said.
This campaign has been carried through participation in the cruise shipping exhibition in the United States in 2015, 2016 and 2018 and in China, Singapore and South Korea in 2016. Moreover, DOT-6 conducted cruise circuit inspections in Iloilo, Guimaras, Capiz, and Northern Antique to check the readiness of the tourism sites and recommended areas for improvement. This is being supported by conducting trainings and seminars for the tourism stakeholders.