The province of Bohol welcomed the German-owned CMV Vasco de Gama Cruise in Tagbilaran port on January 10, marking its first international cruise ship in 2024. Named the “2023 cruise of the year,” Vasco de Gama shipped about 1,512 passengers and 588 crew on board. The ship is owned by the German company Nicko Cruises.
The tourists were met with a cultural showcase highlighting traditional Filipino dances and Bohol’s hospitality genre. They also explored the province's top attractions, such as the Loboc River, classical churches, and Chocolate Hills, before departing at 4 p.m.
Luxurious cruise
The Vasco da Gama cruise offers five dining options, seven bars and cafés, a heated pool, and top-notch entertainment, including lectures on local history, live music performances, and onboard shows.
Four stops were made in the nation during Vasco de Gama's 22-day Asia Cruise: Manila, Coron, Puerto Princesa in Palawan, and Bohol.
The cruise was set to sail for Indonesia and Australia.
The Department of Tourism, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, and the Bohol Provincial Tourism Office worked together to ensure the CMV Vasco De Gama arrived at Bohol safely.
The cruise ship's seamless arrival aligned with Bohol's mission to support sustainable tourism and stimulate the province's economy.
Gaining international footing
In 2023, Bohol was designated as one of the 18 new global geoparks by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (Unesco), increasing the total number of sites to 195 across 48 nations.
Established in 2015, the Unesco Global Geopark label honors internationally significant geological heritage.
With this, the Bohol Tourism Office's records indicated that 742,990 visitors came to the province in 2023, a significant increase from the 179,781 visitors in 2021 and the 535,803 tourist arrivals in 2022.
