ANGELES CITY -- Clark International Airport (CRK) is relatively new in the roster of airports in the Philippines, but for sure it is serving its clientele well if we go by the number of local, regional and international awards that it has stashed under its belt.
The latest recognition for CRK is when it became the Routes Asia 2024 winner under the 5 Million Passengers Category, recognizing its airport and destination marketing.
“Winning in the Under 5 Million Passengers category underscores the Marcos administration’s commitment to excellence in route development marketing,” said Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, who also sits as the Civil Aeronautics Board vice chairperson.
“This achievement reflects the dedication of the travel and air transport team and the resilience of CRK, showcasing its remarkable growth and positive impact on the aviation and tourism industries,” the tourism secretary added.
Buoyed by this award, the Philippine government reiterated its commitment to sustaining its route development efforts, which is expected to result in palpable growth in tourism for the country.
Proactive cooperation
The Department of Tourism (DOT) has been proactive in working with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and other stakeholders to further increase connectivity in the country.
Among the agency’s first directives under the Marcos administration was to lobby for the full maximization of the country’s regional gateways, including Clark.
“Receiving the Routes Asia Marketing Award is not just a triumph for Clark International Airport. It is also a testament to the collaborative efforts of the travel and tourism industry team and the unwavering support from the aviation community,” Frasco said.
In 2023, CRK handled nearly 2 million passengers, a 160 percent increase from the previous year. Some of the local routes catered to by the airport are the country’s prime destinations – Palawan, Cebu, and Boracay.
More arrivals this year
One of the positive results of the recent Routes Asia 2024 award to Clark International Airport is the expected increase in the country's foreign visitor arrivals this year. The DoT expects 7.7 million foreign visitor arrivals as a baseline for the whole of 2024.
One of Secretary Frasco's first directives is for the DoT to push for full utilization of the country's regional gateways, including Clark.
"We are in full support of maximizing the use of other international gateways outside of Manila, such as Clark and Cebu, for the purpose of expanding direct flights, either commercial or chartered, not only toward the Philippines' key destinations but also to the emerging destinations across the country," Frasco said.
The DoT implemented programs and initiatives such as visa reforms and airport improvements to encourage more travelers to visit the country, including the launch of the Philippine Experience Program, as well as familiarization tours and regional expos to attract not only tourists but also potential investors.
"This award fuels our commitment to continue pushing for the enhancement of connectivity and delivering top-notch airport services to our passengers through the healthy collaboration of our government air transportation agencies and private sector partners," Frasco said.
According to CRK, the award from Routes Asia 2024 "follows CRK's exceptional performance in 2023, when it demonstrated significant growth by efficiently handling nearly two million passengers."
"This outstanding achievement presents a remarkable 160 percent increase from the preceding 12 months, manifesting the airport's resilience and robust recovery amid challenging circumstances," the CRK said in a statement.
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