New business infrastructure, expanding foreign investments and better air access are making Clark Freeport Zone the next big thing.
Clark Freeport Zone, emerging out of the shadows of neighbour Manila, is fast tracking its readiness for business and association events with aggressive infrastructure development and business investments.
In less than a year, for instance, Clark has vastly improved its accessibility and proximity by enticing domestic and foreign carriers to mount an unprecedented number of domestic and regional flights.
It was mostly possible through Philippine Airlines’ (PAL) decision to use Clark International Airport as its secondary gateway in December 2016, a move copied by other carriers owing to limited expansion in Manila’s congested Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
“Overall there is really potential for Clark” given its proximity to metro Manila, increased hotel room inventory driven by conferences and business events, and improved accessibility, said Dinbo Macaranas, senior manager for research, Colliers Philippines.
Concurring, Afro-Asian World Events president, Angel Ramos Bognot, said the fact that Clark is just two hours or so from Manila – and from Asian cities given the new air services recently – makes it easier to organise events there. Her B2B Travel Business Exchange, now an international event, continues to be based in Clark.
With congestion in metro Manila, Clark is indeed becoming a favoured alternative for business events. While it cannot as yet accommodate big events, it already has existing convention facilities for small and medium sized gatherings.
Two international hotel brands will open over the next year or so: a 260-key Marriott hotel next to Widus Hotel & Casino and the 268-key Hilton Clark Sunvalley Resort within a mixed-use development comprising 3,380m2 of meeting spaces, a casino, a 36-hole golf course, and more. InterContinental Hotels Group is also eyeing a Crowne Plaza in the area.
Darlene Achumbre, assistant sales and marketing manager, Midori Clark Hotel and Casino, said that while her Festa Hall can accommodate up to 450 pax and about the same number for her vast gardens, there are plans to build a convention centre for larger groups of more than 1,000 pax.
At a time when security risks and natural calamities can deter travel, Clark has several advantages not played up in the press: being a former US military base, it is safe and secure; it’s not within the typhoon and earthquake belts; and has green and unpolluted environs.
Another sanguine point is the rising volume of business travel to Clark due to incentives given by the freeport, lower cost of doing business, and the need for new business sites “better” than Manila.
For example, a number of conglomerates are investing in the Clark Green City, currently being developed as the Philippines’ first smart, green and disaster-resilient multi-use metropolis.
One of these companies, Filinvest Land Inc., was awarded the right to lease, develop and manage the vast resort of the former Mimosa Leisure Estate.
Currently being developed as Quest Clark under Chroma Hospitality, director of sales and marketing Mabel Roman, told TTGassociations that there are existing facilities and “our parent company is still planning to add more facilities for (business and association events) to further service the growing market”.
But certainly, a major coup for Clark International Airport is attracting more carriers to mount flights. This, despite the failure to build a fast rail that will link the freeport zone to metro Manila, proves that Clark does not have to be twinned with NAIA to succeed.
Since PAL started flying to and out of Clark in December last year, domestic carriers immediately began following suit, with services to major tourist destinations like Boracay, Cebu, Palawan and Davao. Flights from South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan and China followed, in addition to existing flights from the Middle East (Emirates and Qatar Airways), Hong Kong and Macau.
China Eastern Airline is also keen on debuting in Clark, linking it with Pudong International Airport in Shanghai.
These new services not only bring Clark closer to international event delegates, they also open up a wide range of accessible pre- and post-tours to some of the Philippines’ best tourist destinaitons.
For instance, a host of options exists within the Pampanga area, which Clark is part of. Clark can be twinned with Subic and other beach and nature destinations in Zambales. Attractions in Pampanga included the Mount Pinatubo crater, Hot Air Balloon Festival, exotic and fusion culinary experiences, heritage tours, etc.
