In a historic milestone for the province of Samar, 130 international guests aboard the Heritage Adventurer disembarked at Pier 1 in Catbalogan City this week, signaling the province’s debut as a stopover in the burgeoning expedition cruise circuit within the Eastern Visayas region.
Operated by New Zealand-based Heritage Expeditions Ltd., the vessel’s arrival on June 16 marked a significant step forward in positioning Samar as a premier eco-tourism destination on the global map.
The Heritage Adventurer, a purpose-built 1A Super Ice Class expedition vessel capable of navigating remote and challenging environments from the Arctic to tropical waters, arrived in Samar for a daylong guided tour of the province’s natural and cultural attractions.
Originally launched in 1991 and refurbished in 2022, the ship can accommodate up to 140 passengers and is renowned for its eco-conscious cruising philosophy, emphasizing wildlife encounters, conservation efforts, and authentic local experiences.
“This is one for the books as it marks the first-ever expedition cruise shore excursion in the province of Samar,” said Karina Rosa Tiopes, regional director of the Department of Tourism (DOT).
She highlighted that this visit has opened a new chapter for Samar, integrating the province into the region’s expedition cruise product portfolio and attracting an international clientele seeking sustainable and immersive travel experiences.
Most of the guests hailed from Australia, New Zealand, France, and other European countries.
Their Samar itinerary included visits to the Paranas Eco-Trail within Samar Island Natural Park—the country’s largest contiguous forest area and a protected landscape—where they engaged in birdwatching, forest trekking, and biodiversity-focused tours.
The group also explored a privately owned arboretum in Paranas, home to rare native trees, and marveled at the Kandiwata Rock Formation in Daram, a picturesque limestone formation surrounded by turquoise waters renowned as an ecotourism hotspot.
Adding depth to their cultural experience, the visitors sampled authentic Samar cuisine prepared by local heritage cooks under the Secret Kitchen of Samar initiative, which promotes local culinary traditions and heirloom recipes. This culinary immersion complemented their appreciation of Samar’s rich natural and cultural heritage.
Tourism statistics reveal that Samar welcomed 6,982 foreign tourists in 2024, alongside over 376,833 domestic travelers, generating an estimated PHP 2.2 billion in tourism receipts. Early 2025 figures already show promising growth, with 1,035 foreign tourists and 67,680 local visitors, yielding PHP 399.44 million in revenue.
The Department of Tourism, together with Samar provincial officials led by Governor Sharee Ann Tan, is now developing more shore excursion packages to accommodate future cruise visits. While neighboring provinces like Leyte, Southern Leyte, Biliran, and Northern Samar have been receiving cruise ships, Samar’s inaugural cruise call is considered a breakthrough for the region’s western seaboard.
“This is a significant step toward positioning Samar as a sustainable and experiential destination in the global cruise tourism market,” Tiopes emphasized. With this momentum, Samar is poised to become a key player in eco-friendly cruise tourism, attracting more international visitors eager to explore its pristine landscapes and vibrant culture.
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