CLARK, PHILIPPINES — Delegates of the recently concluded 21st World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Global Summit and domestic investors on Saturday (April 23) visited several investment locations in Central Luzon to learn more about viable business opportunities within the region.
Made possible by the Philippines Department of Tourism (DOT) through its attached agency, the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), the day tour brought the Global Summit delegates to key areas of interest in Region 3 such as the Clark International Airport (CRK), Clark Development Corporation (CDC) MICE butterfly loop, the Clark TIEZA Tourism Enterprise Zone (TEZ), and New Clark City (NCC).
“With the launching of the new Clark International Airport as well as ongoing infrastructure projects such as rails and highways that make Clark more accessible, Clark is envisioned as the next tourism and business hub in Central Luzon and one of the country’s prime investment destinations. We are excited to take part in its rebirth,” TIEZA Chief Operating Officer Mark T. Lapid emphasized.
The investment tour began at CRK, an international airport covering portions of the cities of Angeles and Mabalacat within the Clark Freeport Zone in the Province of Pampanga. It has been nominated for the Prix Versailles awards, which recognizes the best architecture and design projects in the world. Other global airports nominated for the award were the Berlin Brandenburg Airport in Germany and the Athens International Airport in Greece. CRK is set to open by May 2022.
DOT Assistant Secretary for Product and Market Development and WTTC Global Summit Secretary-General Verna Buensuceso welcomed the delegates at the CRK, where a short programme was also organized to give the delegates an overview of the various investment opportunities being offered by TIEZA, the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), CDC, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), and the Luzon International Premier Airport Development (LIPAD) Corporation.
Meanwhile, DOT Region 3 Director Carolina Uy emphasized the the compelling reasons why the Clark-Tarlac-Subic corridor is a notable tourism investment destination.
In response, Mr. Goeran Soelter, General Manager of the Clark Marriott Hotel delivered a testimonial on behalf of Marriot Hotels on the positive experience of their brand in locating within Clark Freeport and Special Economic Zone. Likewise, the Public-Private Partnership Center (PPPC) also gave a presentation on the legal framework for PPP with foreign investors and legislation developments for PPP.
The group surveyed CDC properties available for investments and leasing opportunities and the Clark TIEZA TEZ, a 20-hectare greenfield property masterplanned to be an integrated tourism complex in Clark. It is anchored on a Premier Shopping Outlet supported by MICE facilities and an assortment of accommodation establishments complementing the new Clark International Airport by offering a tourism destination in close proximity to international gateway. TIEZA is currently looking for Joint Venture partners for the development and operation of the entire TEZ or selected tourism enterprises. Fiscal and non-fiscal incentives under Republic Act (RA) 9593 and the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises Act or “CREATE” as well as institutional and marketing support from agencies such as the DOT, TIEZA, and CDC await the prospective investors.
The WTTC delegates also toured the world-class facilities of NCC. Planned primarily as a new national government administrative center and sports hub, the NCC aims to be an environmentally sustainable, socially inclusive, economically competitive, culturally relevant, and technologically integrated community.
Local chief executive Governor Susan A. Yap of the Province of Tarlac expressed her support to the activity and pushed for the opening of the much-awaited Terminal 2 of the Clark International Airport.
In addition to the Investment Tour, several other trips to tourism destinations all over Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao for the WTTC delegates to enjoy and discover the best of the country.
The lineup of post-summit trips includes a culinary experience tour in Quezon province; a culinary, art, and eco-tour in Rizal; a culture and heritage tour in Bataan; and a tour around the Ilocos region.
El Nido, Boracay, and Davao tours presented the Philippines’ sun and beach tourism and nature and adventure tourism products. While a Southern Tagalog tour in Tagaytay and Batangas showcased the region’s health and wellness services and facilities.
