BUTUAN CITY – Surigao City is becoming a popular clearance hub for international cruisers navigating the world in yachts, officials said.

Roselyn Merlin, Surigao City tourism officer, said Thursday the tourism office has been providing assistance to visiting cruisers while they are in the city for immigration processing.

“This initiative started last year when we posted on Sail the Philippines our available support and assistance to cruisers,” Merlin said.

She added that unlike in other areas where cruisers usually deal with brokers, they receive free assistance from the City Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office (CTCAO).

Data provided by the CTCAO showed that 18 yachts from 12 countries carrying 113 cruisers arrived in Surigao City last year to process immigration documents.

Most of the cruisers were from Denmark (33), Switzerland (12), and France (9).

Merlin said cruisers usually stay three to five days, sometimes a week, in Surigao City to process documents and resupply fuel, water, food, and other necessities.

“We consider them tourists," Merlin said. "Aside from resupply, they also visit bars and restaurants.”

This year, two yachts from France arrived in Surigao City on Jan. 2 and 5, with six French and 14 Danish nationals.

“The city government, through the CTCAO, already provided them with the necessary assistance," Merlin said. "Our early visitors this year have already done resupplying and refueling.”

She is optimistic about more visits this year. (PNA)