Ground Handling Services for the National Cruise Tourism Development Strategy and Action Plan 2026-2032 from 21-26 October 2026

BIDDER : Tour Operator 

PROJECT TITLE : Updating of the National Cruise Tourism Development Strategy and Action Plan 2026 - 2032 

INCLUSIVE DATES : October 21 to 26, 2026 

1. BACKGROUND 

The National Cruise Tourism Development Strategy (NCTDS), prepared by CHART Management Consultants, was first finalized and launched in March 2016 by the Department of Tourism (DOT), in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), under the Advancing Philippine Competitiveness Project. The strategy recognized cruise tourism as an emerging and high-value tourism product segment with strong potential to enhance the Philippines’ competitiveness in the Asia-Pacific region. 

Guided by the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP), the 2016–2022 NCTDS outlined short-term, medium-term, and long-term interventions aimed at improving ship access, enhancing port infrastructure, reforming regulatory frameworks, developing authentic and community-based tourism experiences, and strengthening partnerships with global cruise lines. The strategy emphasized sustainability and local community engagement, highlighting the need to safeguard cultural and natural resources while ensuring meaningful economic participation among host communities. 

The NCTDS set forth a phased development approach with three strategic elements: (1) identifying the types of cruise lines and markets to target, (2) determining priority destinations for development, and (3) prioritizing infrastructure and service investments to enable growth. Strategic objectives focused on: 

• Setting clear cruise tourism priorities 

• Making priority ports and destinations more cruise-ready 

• Enhancing the regulatory and business environment to make the Philippines more cruise-friendly 

• Building international market awareness 

• Optimizing the economic benefits of cruise ship visits to local communities. 

While the Philippines made progress in cruise tourism promotion, port development, and international partnerships, shifts in cruise market dynamics, global travel trends, regional competition, and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have significantly reshaped the landscape for cruise tourism development, especially in East and Southeast Asia. 

In view of these changes, there is a need to update and expand the National Cruise Tourism Development Strategy to respond to current and emerging conditions, support sector recovery, and position the Philippines more strategically for sustained and inclusive growth. 

1. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: 

1. Must be accredited by the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS); 

1. Must be accredited by the Department of Tourism; 

1. Must have handled domestic tour groups with foreign participants within the last 5 years. Preferably with experience in handling cruise-related projects; 

1. Bidders must submit their quotation with cost breakdown to differentiate the amount of service fee and the amount to be earmarked for the payment to the third parties or other proprietors. Otherwise tax withheld will be credited from the total contract prize; and 

1. Must be willing to provide services on send-bill arrangement. 

1. SCOPE OF WORK DELIVERABLES 

• Provision of domestic air tickets for two (2) DOT- OPD participants; 

• Ground arrangement inclusive of accommodation, full board meals, toll and entrance fees, land and water tourist transportation services, and meeting arrangements (including meeting meals) in coordination with the DOT; 

• Van rental (inclusive of professional driver fees, drivers’ meals and applicable toll fees); 

• Provision of a coordinator to assist participants throughout the travel period; and 

• Must allow flexible rebooking dates for tickets and accommodation with minimal fees, if applicable; 

COMPONENTS:  

1. Domestic Air tickets 

*Provision of domestic air tickets for DOT representatives (must be rebookable with minimal fees) 

1. Accommodation based on E.O. 77 for DOT and RO representatives; with DOT accreditation within the vicinity of the private sector partners’ accommodation 

1. Meeting Meals 

*Food and dietary restrictions of the participants to follow, if any 

1. Meals 

*Food and dietary restrictions of the participants to follow, if any 

1. Tourist Transport Services: 

Includes toll, drivers’ fee, meals and accommodation, parking and entrance fees (if applicable), etc. 

1. BUDGET  

TOTAL BUDGET: Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Pesos (PHP 250,000.00) 

Cost proposal must be submitted with an itemized breakdown. 

The winning bidder shall be determined based on the proposal, provided that the amount of bid is inclusive of all applicable taxes does not exceed the above total budget.  

Project expenses to be charged to the 2026 OPD-PPDD Cruise Work and Financial Plan. 

1. CONTACT PERSON 

Contact Person : CLARE DANIELLE B. MOLINA 

Address : Office of Product Development 

Product Planning and Development Division 

5F The New DOT Building 

351 Sen Gil Puyat Avenue 

Brgy. Bel Air, 1200 Makati City 

Email Address  : cbmolina@tourism.gov.ph 

Mobile Number : +639086396097