Subic: A boost to RP tourism

By VINCE G. LOPEZ

August 25, 2010, 11:18am

Subic's leisurely beach continues to be a top draw for its tourism (www.prlog.org)

Recent developments in the tourism sector have attracted both local and international tourists to visit the Philippines, particularly Subic. Known as the country’s premier playground for sports and extreme adventures, Subic has been one of the key contributors to the growth of Philippine tourism.

The completion of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) has made it easier for both local and foreign tourists to come and enjoy the interesting new additions in Subic. A new line-up of adventures and a number of beaches on its coast line are among the top reasons why tourists continue to visit this side of the country.

Recently, Subic was recognized as one of the 13 premier spots for bird-watching in the Philippines. Bird-watching created a new market for Philippine tourism targeting tourists from Europe and America. Enthusiasts of the sport travel the globe to get a glimpse of the endemic birds.  Recent visitors from Europe consider Subic as a “gold mine” for birdwatchers.

But aside from being a goldmine for nature-loving tourists, Subic is also the PX capital where you can buy imported products such as clothes, chocolates, and fine wines at very reasonable rates.

Serving as a pivotal point of entry with its reliable airport and modern seaport, Subic has managed to sustain its image as one of the top tourist destinations in the country.

Clark’s Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) is set to be the premier gateway to the Philippines within the next ten years. Not to be confused with the Subic Bay International Airport that also serves as a hub for incoming freights as well as a handful of commercial flights, DMIA has become the primary airport going to Subic for its technological advancement and sheer size alone.

DMIA is certified by the International Civil Aviation Organization with a rating of Category I for Precision Approach Runway. The airport is also well equipped with modern aviation technology including Terminal Radar Approach Control, Instrument Landing System and other navigational aids.

Its strategic location is also an advantage. The airport is only one and a half to four hours flying time away from most major Asian cities and less than an hour away from Metro Manila and the Subic Bay Freeport. Its strategic location is a major reason why top low fare carriers consider the airport as their home.

“As the first aviation locator in Clark, our airline chose Clark because we believe in its potential. Diosdado Macapagal International Airport has the longest runway in the Philippines,” expressed Leo Gimena, South East Asian Airlines (SEAir) Vice-President for Marketing.

Though more popularly known for its fastest flights from Manila to Boracay, SEAir’s main operations are in Clark.

“There is also a very good market demand for passengers in the location especially from the central to the northern part of the Philippines,” added Gimena pertaining to the strategic location of DMIA.

Not to be overshadowed by its aerial counterpart, the Subic Freeport has also been contributing to the destination’s tourism and economic growth. The effective management and developments in the Subic Freeport made it possible for it to become one of the biggest economic contributors.

“We have been presented by Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) with various citations, awards, and certificates of appreciation on several occasions in recognition of our contribution and repeated achievement of their revenue target goals,” said George Schultze, Jr., Chairman of Amerasia International Terminal Services, Inc. (AITSI), one of three major cargo-handling firms holding service provider contracts with SBMA.

AITSI, together with Subic Seaport Terminal, Inc. (SSTI), Global International Services (GIS) and several other small cargo-handling firms have been capitalizing on Subic’s incentive package of duty-free importation of capital equipment at the Freeport. As a result, the port has been paving the way for affordable products for tourists as well as a boost in the country’s trading industry.

 “Cargo handling operations at Subic have always remained transparent over the years. We are the source of hundreds of millions of pesos in annual remittances to the coffers of SBMA,” said Schultze.

Tourists continue to enjoy visiting the sprawling tourism sites at Subic and doing a bit of shopping. From the usual tax free imported products all the way to signature outlet stores, visitors to the Freeport are finding numerous bargains while indulging in a leisurely getaway.