MANILA, PHILIPPINES - Two months after Pasig River Ferry was relaunched, the Department of Tourism and the Metro Manila Development Authority have partnered not only to reduce travel time in Metro Manila and to ease traffic flow in the metropolis but to offer a new way of exploring the Metro both for tourists and locals.
MMDA, in collaboration with the DOT, has agreed to exclusively allocate one 150-seater air-conditioned ferry to service the needs of tourists, both domestic and international, who may want to explore Manila, Pasig, Mandaluyong and Makati, using the river transport and its 11 ferry stations.
Dubbed as Pasig River Hop On Hop Off Ferry Tour, the new tour program, as packaged by the Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA), Guide to the Philippines and DOT – National Capital Region, will offer two main categories - the Hop On Hop Off Tour and the MICE Program initially using select stations.
The Hop On Hop Off Tour is meant for individuals, small groups and families who want to make use of select ferry stations based on specific time schedules and 1.5 to 3 hours walking tours. Tourists may explore the City of Manila through the Lawton, Escolta and Sta. Ana ferry stations where a tour guide will be waiting to walk you to the iconic attractions of nearby Manila, a heritage tour of Intramuros, Sta. Ana heritage walking tour and the famous culinary tour of Binondo and a photo opportunity of the now famous Jones Bridge. For Makati City, tourists may disembark in Guadalupe and Valenzuela Stations with a waiting guide to help you explore the country’s financial district either through a Poblacion Heritage tour, Makati Skyline, the famous Poblacion Bar crawl and even the nearby cities of San Juan and Mandaluyong through Hulo Station. The packages include a tour guide, entrance fees and survival kit. This is also intended for tourists who want to make use of the regular ferry schedule.
The MICE Program targets corporate clients and big groups who are in Metro Manila for meetings, conventions, incentive trips and business trips on a pre-arranged chartered tour using MMDA’s ferry. Four options are in place such as the one way Guadalupe to Escolta, Escolta to Guadalupe program and the Guadalupe to Guadalupe and Escolta to Escolta return tours.
Guide to the Philippines, DOT’s official online tour aggregator partner, will initially offer using Guadalupe and Valenzuela Stations, an exclusive Poblacion Chocolate Bar Crawl highlighting Makati City’s night life with an interesting twist on both drinks and food using a local Filipino chocolate brand and Escolta Station for the Binondo culinary tour.
Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, together with select media, travel trade guests and tourism partners such as MMDA and Intramuros Administration, took on the first Pasig River ferry commercial tour starting in Guadalupe Station to try the Poblacion bar crawl and ending in Escolta for a quick photo op of the Jones Bridge and a historical trip of the enhanced and refurbished Intramuros.
“Today we embark on an expanded hub to explore the country’s capital with a new mode of transport forged by our commitment to involve and enable the different sectors of Metro Manila. This is also part of our effort to promote sustainable tourism. As you may well know, the government has just celebrated its first year anniversary of the Battle for Manila Bay and this new tourism offering is our way of contributing towards sustaining a healthier and cleaner Pasig River. We hope to further develop this into a sustainable mode of transport for tourism and the commuting public to further boost the region’s tourism industry”, Secretary Romulo-Puyat said.
Commercial run will commence on March 2020 pending logistical operations and booking facilities. Interested parties may inquire directly with PHILTOA via +632 8812-4513 or email info@philtoa.com and Guide to the Philippines via their website, https://guidetothephilippines.ph/.
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