CLARK FREEPORT ZONE, Pampanga (PIA) — Department of Tourism (DOT) highlighted that the tourism sector in Central Luzon is vibrant.
It received about 3.9 million tourists in 2022, a figure that is largely higher than the two million tourists arrivals in 2021.
DOT Regional Director Richard Daenos disclosed that apart from its domestic performance, the region recorded foreign arrivals including 267,848 from the United States, 32,944 from China, 17,509 from South Korea, 2,856 from Japan, and 1,292 from the United Arab Emirates.
It was likewise visited by 655 tourists from India, 658 from Thailand, 582 from Malaysia, 530 from Singapore, and 524 from Hong Kong.
Daenos explained that the region’s booming tourism sector is brought by its improved gateway access, whether land routes or air flights.
“These [figures] mean that it [tourism] is very vibrant right now. It is evident that we have a good location here in Central Luzon. In our international flights, we have nine foreign and two local carriers operating in Clark,” he said.
Air flights increased when the Clark International Airport opened its new passenger terminal building where all departing and arriving flights were transferred to the modern, state-of-the-art facility envisioned to be Asia’s next premier gateway.
The airport offers international destinations including Doha, Dubai, Singapore, Tokyo, Osaka, YangYang, Busan, Incheon, Muan, Taipei, Kaohsiung, Shanghai, Quanzhou, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, and Macau.
It also has local flights going to Basco, Cauayan, Virac, Naga, San Jose, Busuanga, Caticlan, Catarman, Calbayog, El Nido, Kalibo, Tacloban, Antique, Iloilo, San Vicente, Bacolod, Cebu, Puerto Princesa, Bohol, Siargao, Cagayan de Oro, and Davao.
Daenos said the increase in arrivals is also due to revenge tourism as people rush to travel to nearby destinations after the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Our kababayans are very excited to explore the beauty of the Philippines again. This is why us, in the DOT, are keenly intensifying plans to increase the figures [on tourist arrivals] more,” he stated. (CLJD/JLDC-PIA 3)
