Clark Freeport—Showing this former American military base is being a preferred location for various events, Clark Development Corp. has recorded some 509,328 tourists that visited this freeport in 2018, nearly double than the previous year.
In a report by CDC Tourism and Promotions Division to President-CEO Noel F. Manankil, 200 events that were held here last year prompted the influx of tourists and guests to the Freeport.
These included 43 running events that generated 49,303 tourists, three festivals with 71,221 attendees, and 14 spectators’ events with 50,094 participants.
Likewise, 19 biking, duathlon and triathlon activities generated 23,817 participants, and 148 other events that used the open spaces in the freeport attracted an additional 314,893 tourists.
These numbers indicate a 79-percent upsurge compared to the numbers of tourists in 2017 which was recorded at 284,189 generated from 115 events.
However, one of the Freeport’s key attractions, the Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta, said late last year it would not be holding its “Weekend of Everything that Flies” in February this year due to the lack of commitment of government partners.
The balloon fiesta was scheduled for Feb. 8 to 11, 2019, and regularly attracted upwards of 100,000 visitors to Clark.
Among the major events held here last year was the Trinx Bikes World event that attempted to break the Guinness World Record for longest single line parade of bicycles. It was attended by 4,999 bikers from different parts of the country.
The Pinas Cup 2018 also saw 115 football teams participating, while the 6th Clark Festival and the re-opening of the lifestyle weekend market Comercio Central, which features authentic local dishes and products, generated an estimated foot traffic of 25,000 guests per day.
Tourists generated by hotels and other events were not included in the reports gathered by TPD.