SEA TRAVEL COMPANY 2GO Travel has launched a direct Manila-Siargao route that runs weekly.
“This offers tourists a reasonable solution to travel from Manila to Siargao direct, however the reverse can be true, since it opens quite a lot of doors for the people of Siargao to go to other parts of the country,” 2GO Senior Assistant Vice-President and Business Unit Head Francis John Chua told the press upon the maiden voyage’s arrival in Siargao on Nov. 19.
“We hope that this route and this entry to Siargao will open more doors for everybody, more opportunities, and more meaningful experiences.”
The route’s maiden voyage departed Manila on Nov. 17 within the evening and arrived in Siargao late at night on Nov. 18.
With a complete travel time of 29 hours, the weekly service leaves Manila every Monday at 6:30 p.m. and arrives in Siargao at 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday. The ship then proceeds to Butuan and Ozamiz as per its usual route.
The return trip departs Siargao every Wednesday at 2:30 a.m. and arrives in Manila at 7:30 a.m. on Friday.
This route is a component of the corporate’s goal to make inter-island travel more accessible, especially for Siargao, which has been out of reach for a lot of Filipinos on account of its notoriously expensive airfare.
One other good thing about this route is that it serves as a logistics bridge supporting the island’s economy, because it is predicted to help the availability needs of local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) which have grown in number since Siargao became a tourist hotspot.
“This may significantly cut the price of logistics and transportation to Siargao. It’s a fraction of the worth of airfare, and cuts sea travel time,” said Sharon Ngo, 2GO business unit head for sea solutions, throughout the maiden voyage launch on Nov. 17.
A few of the essential goods transported to businesses in Siargao include food, fuel, and construction materials.
The vessel serving this route is the MV 2GO St. Francis Xavier, a mid-size passenger and cargo ship. It has a capability of 1,900 passengers and a hold for containerized and loose cargo, reefer vans, and other temperature-controlled shipments.
The ship has 4 levels or decks with various accommodation types, including Super Value, Tourist, Cabin, Stateroom, and Suiteroom. One-way ticket prices range from P1,500 to P8,000, depending on accommodation type and seasonal dynamic pricing.
Though it takes longer than air travel, sea travel with 2GO offers one key advantage — a much bigger luggage allowance. Each passenger is entitled to 50kg of baggage, in accordance with the corporate.
The 29-hour voyage can be eased by onboard amenities corresponding to restaurants, a coffee shop, a salon and spa, a souvenir shop, karaoke rooms, and nightly live entertainment. A medical clinic can be available for passengers, it said.
The prevailing route, which already connects Manila to Butuan and Ozamiz — key points in Northern Mindanao — will now “open latest opportunities for tourism, trade, and regional mobility” with the addition of Siargao, in accordance with 2GO.
INFLUX TO SIARGAO
For General Luna town councilor Bingle Silvosa, 2GO’s entry will contribute to the island’s economic activity, as increased accessibility may lead to lower prices in the long run.
“They’ll have the option to assist us with the logistics, with goods coming from Manila. Almost the entire resorts and establishments get ingredients from Manila and even abroad. 2GO’s entry will really help the logistical needs of the island,” he told BusinessWorld during a media familiarization trip on Nov. 19.
General Luna is the coastal town that hosts Siargao’s most touristy spots, due to its beaches, surf scene, and nightlife. About 90% of tourist arrivals in Siargao ultimately stay on this municipality.
“The whole Philippines is experiencing a slight downturn in tourist arrivals, but I hope by next 12 months we come back stronger and higher — not only Siargao, but the remaining of the Philippines’ tourist destinations,” Mr. Silvosa added.
Still, the island is faring significantly better than three months ago, he explained, with more tourists coming from Europe. 2GO’s entry is predicted to further add to this influx.
“I feel we’re ready for the influx of tourists, but in fact we’ve safety nets by way of environmental protection.” — Brontë H. Lacsamana