187. MIAMI & SEATRADE CRUISE GLOBAL 2024

 

MIAMI & SEATRADE CRUISE GLOBAL 2024

Troy Alexander G. Miano

13 April 2024

It has been two decades since I last stepped on the land of Uncle Sam when I was sent by the Rotary International (RI) District 3770 to RI District 7620 in Maryland and Washington, D.C. as Ambassador of Goodwill and Understanding (Group Study Exchange - an international professional development program). This week, I went back as one of the representatives of the Department of Tourism (DOT) and of our country in the Seatrade Cruise Global 2024 at Miami Beach Convention Center, Miami, Florida spanning from April 8 to 11. It was a very long flight leaving Manila on April 6 Saturday, 12 high noon and arrived at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), United States (US) past 12 midnight same day Manila time (past 12 noon LA time). The domestic flight to Miami, Florida commenced before 4 in the afternoon and reached Miami International Airport at past 8 in the evening (8AM Manila time) still April 6 Saturday. I took a cab and reached Holiday Inn Miami Beach-Oceanfront at 4333 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach before 10 in the evening. I went strolling immediately to know the area and associate myself with a convenient store to make sure I have a store to run to in case of emergency needs.

The following day was a Sunday and browsed the net for the nearest Catholic Church from my temporary abode. I walked my way to Saint Patrick Catholic Church about 1.8 kilometers. It was the Second Sunday of Easter and Feast of Divine Mercy. The Church edifice was built in 1928 and restored in 2000 is located at 3716 Garden Avenue.

After the Mass, I rode my first Uber cab to Philip & Patricia Frost Museum of Science about 8.7 kilometers away. The museum is a leading science museum dedicated to sharing the power of science, sparking wonder and investigation, and fueling innovation for the future. Located in Downtown Miami’s waterfront Maurice A. Ferré Park, Frost Science is divided into four buildings: the Frost Planetarium, Aquarium, and North and West Wings. Here, guests can learn about the core science behind living systems, the solar system and known universe, the physics of flight, light and lasers, the biology of the human body and mind, and much more. Guests can explore the world of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) in an experiential setting with interactive exhibitions and unique shows. Frost Science is also dedicated to education, earning national awards for its summer camps and after-school programs.

After a four-hour walk in the museum, I maximized my stay in the area and strolled further and reached Perez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) to peruse its collection of contemporary art of the Americas, housed in a stunning building overlooking Biscayne Bay in Downtown Miami that was designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architects Herzog & de Meuron.

Near the PAMM is the Dogs and Cats Walkway Sculpture Gardens at Maurice A. Ferre Park, 1025 Biscayne Boulevard. a pet-friendly permanent outdoor art installation which features 52 large aluminum sculptures, 26 dogs and 26 cats, painted by local artists. The exhibit is both educational, beautiful and raises awareness about respecting and protecting our four-legged best friends.

I ended my walking tour savoring the sea breeze at Biscayne Boulevard facing the Biscayne Bay, the rest of Maurice A. Ferré Park (formerly Museum Park), a .12 km2 public, urban park in downtown Miami. The park opened in 1976 on the site of several slips served by the Seaboard Air Line Railroad. It was originally named "Bicentennial Park" to celebrate the bicentennial of the United States in that same year. Today, the park is maintained by the Bayfront Park Management Trust.

After my afternoon tour, I proceeded to the Miami Beach Convention Center for the ingress and a short meeting with the DOT organizers at Collins Avenue in one of the rented places of the delegates. April 8, Monday was Day 0. A scheduled lunch-meeting of the Philippine delegation which includes Congressman Ramon C. Nolasco Jr., of the 1st District of Cagayan, DOT Director Paolo Benito S. Tugbang (head of delegation & Office of Product Market Development) & staff Ms. Theresa Endaya, DOT New York Tourism Attache Francisco "Kiko" Hilario Lardizabal & staff Ms. Katherine Alcantara and myself with the 'Rebound Asia's Destination' partners which includes: Hong Kong, South Korea, and Xiamen (China) and was held at Great Room 1, The W Hotel Miami, 2201 Collins Avenue. The updates on the countries' latest destinations were showcased. Issues and challenges were also discussed particularly the procedures and protocols of the Philippine Bureau of Immigration and Bureau of Customs. A number of cruise lines sought audience with the Philippine team regarding these matters and were expecting immediate actions of the Philippine government. Before the luncheon ended, I went outside the hotel to witness the partial solar eclipse passing through the bright sky with the solar eclipse glasses I bought from the Philip & Patricia Frost Museum of Science souvenir shop the day before.

April 9, Tuesday, was Day 1 or conference and exhibition opening with a welcome reception for all countries in attendance. As I entered the grand ballroom, I immediately saw the ‘Love The Philippines’ brand logo of our country and felt so proud. I had photos with the whole Philippine contingent and immediately manned the DOT regional booth. I, together with Regional Director Crisanta Marlene “Krisma” Rodriguez and the other DOT regional representatives, had numerous interactions with different nationalities having businesses pertaining to the tourism industry and soon to be travelers to the Philippines. I stayed in my post until Day 3 (April 11).

Topics during the conference includes: AI and Technology Innovations, Attracting the New to Cruise Segment, Decarbonization, Entertainment Strategies, Expedition Cruising, Geopolitical Issues and the Impact on Cruising, Luxury Cruising, Port and Destination Developments, River Cruising, Sustainability and Regulation, and The New Presidents Panel.

The Philippine private delegation co-exhibitor includes: TravelPeople Ltd. Inc.; Sharp Travel Services (Phils.) Inc.; Baron Travel Corporation; Wallern Philippines Shipping, Inc.; BenLine Agencies Philippines, Inc.; Wilhelmsen-Smith Bell Shipping, Inc.; Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority; and WMOC Group of Companies. While the Philippine government delegation includes: DOT Central Office (Office of Product and Market Development, DOT New York, and Legislative Liaison Unit); DOT Regional Office (Regions 1, 2, 3, 6, and 8); Congress representative; and Bureau of Immigration.

The Philippine delegation was very fortunate to have three members of the House of Representatives to lead us. Gracing the dinner at Versailles Restaurant Cuban Cuisine hosted by DOT New York were: Hon. Khymer Adan T. Olaso of the 1st District of Zamboanga City, Hon. Ricardo A. Cruz Jr. of the 1st District of Taguig City, and Hon. Ramon C. Nolasco Jr. of the 1st District of Cagayan. Rep. Nolasco hails from my assigned region and is a classmate of my sister, Charisse Marcianne G. Miano-Candelaria, in pre-law (legal management) at the University of Santo Tomas. The Congressmen were also present the whole duration of the worldwide event and on the dinner at the Cheesecake Factory at Lincoln Road on the 10th.

Every night I would stroll around the convention site up to my hotel to maximize my stay in the Sunshine State. Miami Beach is a south Florida island city, connected by bridges to mainland Miami. Wide beaches stretch from North Shore Open Space Park, past palm-lined Lummus Park to South Pointe Park. The southern end, South Beach, is known for its international cachet with models and celebrities, and its early-20th-century architecture in the Art Deco Historic district with pastel-colored buildings, especially on Ocean Drive. Washington and Collins Avenues, Lincoln Road, and Española Way were always the main streets I traversed. I also rode the free citywide trolley to roam around and had photos with the bust of famous Mexicans and Cubans at Collins Park.

The Seatrade Cruise Global 2024 gave me an opportunity to see and observe the cruise industry in an international scope. My assigned region, the Cagayan Valley and Northern Philippine Islands, is also a cruise voyage destination particularly in Basco (Batanes), Calayan (Cagayan), Claveria (Cagayan), Santa Ana (Cagayan) and our latest addition, Divilacan (Isabela). As I leave the 5th State (and Washinton D.C.) I have already visited in the United States, I am energized to come home to promote more the cruise tourism product in northern Philippines. Thank you Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco for the opportunity.