Visitor influx to the region continues to grow at an unprecedented rate based on statistics reported by accommodation establishments all over the region. Reports indicate a growth rate of 7% in visitor arrivals from January to September 2005 as compared to the preceding year. Figures indicate that arrivals summed up to 295,177 in 2005 and 277,870 in 2004. This positive development has been attributed to the continuing cooperation of both the government and the private stakeholders in boosting travel to the provinces. An example is the continuing effort of the Central Luzon Tourism Council, Inc. to make its presence felt in various events and festivities in and around the region. Clark and Subic continue to be at the forefront in the development of the region as a major travel destination.
International Flights
The year 2005 saw the mounting of more international flights to the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport in Clark with Air Asia, Tiger Airways and Far Eastern Travel Airways taking the lead in promoting low-budget fares from Clark to Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, Singapore and Taiwan. These low-cost carriers which have become the wave of the future in terms of air travel have dramatically increased visitor arrival figures into Clark and Pampanga.
Clark Growth Rate
Based on the statistics gathered by the Bureau of Immigration for January to September 2005, Clark airport obtained the highest score in terms of growth rate at 132.39% as compared to preceding year’s figure during the same period. Immigration reported that Clark generated some 34,064 passengers in 2005 as compared to only 14,658 passengers in 2004. A bigger volume of arrivals is expected as the figures start coming in time for the holidays. Not too bad for a small airport that started its international flights in just over two years.
Festivals and Events
The holding of special events and other festivities in various parts of the region did well enough to boost travel to the provinces. These included the conduct of the 9th Philippine International Hot-Air Balloon Festival in February where over 20 gigantic balloons driven by some 140 foreign pilots and crew members attracted some 100,000 spectators from all over Metro Manila and environs. The re-launching of the Happening on the Green in Clark – a carryover from the Americans – signaled the start of a widespread campaign to promote Clark as a family entertainment center. The conduct of the so-called Manyaman Food Festival also in the same venue brought to the fore the best in Kapampangan cuisine while the Tsinelas Festival in Gapan Nueva Ecija took the lead in projecting the province as the footwear capital in the country. Other special events included National Tourism Week, Buntal Hat Festival in Baliuag, Bulacan, Linggo ng Bulacan, Paynawen Festival in Iba, Zambales, Maskara Festival in Capalangan, Apalit, Pampanga, 1st Inter-agency Trade Fair at Paskuhan Village, 7th Likha ng Gitnang Luzon Trade Fair at SM Megamall, National Pyrotechnic Competition in Bulacan, Pawikan Festival in Morong, Bataan, Sisig Festival in Angeles City, Sinukwan Street Dancing, and the Giant Lantern Festival in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga.
Clark Expo
The year 2005 also saw the soft opening of Expo Pilipino in Clark on December 8. Now re-named Clark Expo, the sprawling complex now features furniture cum trade exhibits and special events. The regional office took part in the program by mounting its Best of the Region showcase at the entrance hall.
Virtual Office on Demand
The region joined the IT bandwagon by redesigning its own regional web site to include an online application for accreditation, additional sites for visitor statistics, vital links (Clark, Subic, DMIA), photo album, among other add-ons. The region hopes to transform its office into a stand-alone “virtual office on demand” where one may transact business on 24-hour year-round basis. The site may be accessed at www.wowluzoncentral.com
II. TOURISM SERVICES
Invitational Promo
The regional office had its hands full in promoting the regions to the tri-media thru media invitational coming from Malaysia, Singapore, and Taiwan. Among the favorite places visited by these groups including travel agents are Subic, Clark and Mt. Pinatubo. SET TV based in Taiwan heavily promoted Clark and Pinatubo thru its TV program.
Human Resource Development
Capability-building programs co-organized by the Office of Tourism Standards catered to the growing volume of manpower resources throughout the region. The course on Understanding Korean Culture and History was conducted for the staff of Clark and Subic while the capability building seminar was conducted for the staff of the tourism councils in Bulacan. The personnel of the City of San Fernando Tourism Council underwent a course on Tourist Reception and Tour Guiding Technique.
Organization
Newly formed tourism-related organizations did well to help the government accomplish its objective of developing local travel. For one, the province of Bataan initiated the formation of the Bataan Hotel and Resort Owners Association to help the local government in projecting an image for the province as a travel destination. Clark thru the former DOT Secretary Narzalina Lim pitched in to organize the Leisure, Entertainment, Recreation and Travel committee (LERT) to help in marketing Clark’ tourist facilities. Not to be left behind is Subic which organized the Greater Subic Bay Tourism Bureau composed of tourism officials and private stakeholders from Subic, Zambales and Bataan.
Office Management
To better serve the traveling public, the region opened its own sub-office at Marlim Mansions Hotel in Angeles City. The staff also takes turns in operating the meet and assist counter at the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport in Clark.
III. PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
New Product Identification
The region identified new destinations in the region. These are: Porac Peak where one may travel through 7 mountains to view the crater of Mt. Pinatubo thru Porac in Pampanga; Puning Hot Springs cum Spa in Porac and Sapang Bato, Angeles City where one may indulge in a warm bath via makeshift bathing pool fed from simmering hot mountain spring; Mt. Pinatubo Spa in Sta. Juliana, Capas, Tarlac for a sand shower and foot spa plus massage; Sacobia Valley Camping Holiday Destination where tourists are more likely to do camping, trekking, mountain climbing and off-roading; Hadwan Falls in Mabalacat, Pampanga for river crossing amidst rainforest cover; Verdivia Falls in Dona Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan where one may trek the distance to view and bathe in a generous waterfall; and Puning Cave in Dona Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan. A previously identified attraction is the Candaba Swamp and Bird Watch in Candaba, Pampanga. The site has been frequented by bird watchers and enthusiasts.
Tourism Investment
One major accomplishment of the region is the successful launching of three major projects funded by a Korean travel company (PDI, Inc). One is the Mt. Pinatubo Spa and Resort in Brgy. Sta. Juliana, Capas, Tarlac where guests are prone to take a rejuvenating warm shower on volcanic sand, indulge in a physically relaxing Shiatzu massage and foot spa, plus a serving of sulfur health drinks. The other project is the spa in Brgy. Sapang Bato (Sitio Target), Angeles City also offering the same facilities and services to guests. The recent one is the establishment of a horse-back riding arena at the Picnic Grounds in Clark. These three projects can easily fetch some P20M in total investments.
Poverty Alleviation Program
The Kabuhayan sa Turismo Project in Sapang Bato, Angeles City received funding support from New Zealand Aid thru the office of former Undersecretary Evelyn B. Pantig in the amount of P350,000 for manpower training program. The concept of the Kabuhayan project was introduced to the staff of Zambales, particularly in Palauig, to enable them to put together the same project for Mt. Tapulao where the local host population is inclined to benefit from the project.
Proposed Awards
The region submitted its bid proposal for awards to the Search for New Destination (Hiyas ng Turismo) organized by the Women in Travel. The bid proposals included: Sapang Bato Hot Spot: New Destination and Candaba Swamp and Bird Watching Paradise.
Donations
The region took to task members of the regional tourism council in gathering donations in kind or in cash to benefit typhoon victims in Aurora. In the end, some P100,000 in total contribution was extended and turned over to the Philippine National Red Cross for distribution to recipients.
Geographic Information
The region became the beneficiary to the latest technology in geographic profiling system put together by the Planning Sector under Assistant Secretary Eduardo Jarque and NAMRIA. As a result, the region is now in the process of putting together its own database on geographic information system (GIS). The system is expected to be completed by the first quarter of next year with region 3 as the pilot region.
Computer Donation
A donation of some 250 used computers courtesy of Korean investor Patton Kim were distributed to public elementary schools in Capas, Mabalacat, Concepcion and Angeles City. Each of these schools was given 10 computers to make learning easy and convenient to pupils.
Regional Tourism Workshop
A regional workshop on packaging Central Luzon as a tourist hub was organized by the Central Luzon Regional Development Council to come up with a set of tour packages to be sold to both local and foreign visitors. The workshop was attended by representatives from government, travel industry, hospitality and trade.
National Ecotourism Summit
The Regional Ecotourism Council chaired by DENR kept the program running smoothly by setting standards and procedures in undertaking ecotourism projects in the region. The year also saw the holding of the national ecotourism summit on November 25 in Clark which addressed all issues and concerns related to the agenda.
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