Clark gets more tourists

May 2006

The opening of Diosdado Macapagal International Airport to low-cost foreign carriers has led to a 5.92 percent increase in tourist arrivals in Central Luzon in the first quarter of 2006.

According to the Department of Tourism-Region 3, visitor arrivals in Central Luzon reached 102,398 in the first quarter of the year, up from 96,672 arrivals registered during the same period in 2005.

DOT-Region 3 Director Ronaldo Tiotico attributed this to the opening of flight routes between Clark and other parts of Southeast Asia, which are now being served by Thai Air Asia and Tiger Airways.

“The Metro Clark is experiencing an upsurge in tourist arrivals due to the increasing number of low-cost flights via Diosdado Macapagal Airport. Thai Air Asia and Tiger Airways, with regular flight routes to Macapagal Airport since October last year, are seen to double the passenger traffic to Clark at an average of 400,000 a month” Tiotico said.

Tourism Secretary Ace Durano said he expects local tourism in Central Luzon to grow further in the coming months, with the aggressive marketing efforts by the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Pampanga (HARP).

He noted that HARP is now gearing up to upgrade the hospitality industry in the region as a result of the huge influx of foreign tourists.

Jimmy Dale of Hotel Casa and the new president of HARP committed to help boost travel and tourism in Central Luzon with a series of seminars on hospitality and other skill enhancement programs intended for frontline personnel.

One of the group's priority programs is the launching of the North Philippines Travel Mart at SM City Clark in November 2006.

The three-day travel mart, to be held at the newest SM mall, is seen to draw the participation not only of the seven Central Luzon provinces, but also of the provinces in Ilocos region, Cagayan Valley and Cordillera.

Central Luzon groups the provinces of Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, and Zambales. Two of its major tourism destinations are Subic and Clark.

Some 300 tour operators, travel agents and exhibitors are expected to participate in the travel mart. PRESS RELEASE.