CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga—Tourists visiting Clark increased by 2.27 percent or about 42,626 persons last year, the Clark Development Corp. said Thursday.
In a statement, the CDC said a total of 1,916,700 tourists arrived at the former American military base in 2016, compared to 1,874,074 arrivals in 2015.
The increased tourist arrivals was attributed to the presence of Clark International Airport and the availability of facilities—like the area’s 63 convention centers for international and local meetings, conferences and trade exhibits for manufacturers, buyers and traders—for business transactions.
The statement also said tourist departures from the airport last year increased to 457,282 from 423,332 in 2015.
Clark is a venue for the meetings of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations scheduled this year.
For weekend tourists, specially those coming from South Korea and Asean countries, the Freeport offers four golf courses, six casinos, eight wellness facilities, five high-end hospitals and shopping centers inside the former US base, CDC noted.
Another attraction of Clark is its sports activities held every year—car racing, car shows, Frisbee games and its signature event, the Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta, which attracts about 110,000 tourists, both foreigners and locals, the company said.
Tourists families can enjoy several picnic grounds, parks, gardens, biking areas and the Clark Museum, which houses the historical artifacts of the base and others important materials for students and researchers to study, CDC said.
As a major tourist destination in Central Luzon, Clark has 2,000 hotel rooms and 75 dining places. “This is how Clark continues to attract tourists both foreign and local in the region,” the statement added.