Once a United States Military Air Base in the Philippines, Clark is rapidly transforming into a business hub due to massive ongoing infrastructure, business, and tourism developments.
Agnes Devanadera, CEO of Clark Development Corp. (CDC), shared with TTGmice that aside from actively promoting the Philippine MICE Conference – scheduled to be hosted by Clark on July 10-12, 2024 – CDC has also been participating in Asian roadshows with Clark International Airport (CRK), engaging with airlines to mount more flights.
This effort has paid off, as the number of airport passengers last year reached nearly two million. This represents a 158 per cent increase over 2022’s numbers and surpassed the forecast of 42 per cent by CRK’s key partner and technical consultant, Changi Airports International. Currently, CRK serves 11 international and 10 domestic flights.
Noel Manankil, CEO and president of LIPAD, the consortium operating and managing CRK, stated that the growth in passenger numbers indicates “a robust recovery for Clark and the Central and Northern Luzon regions”.
However, there is a need to attract more hotel investments, especially in the mid- and lower-market segments, said Devanadera, to beef up Clark’s hotel portfolio of 4,007 keys.
In the high-end market, Hann Development Corp., responsible for bringing the Marriott and Swissotel brands to its integrated resort in Clark, plans to introduce more international hotel brands to Hann Reserve. Hann Reserve is a 450-hectare luxury golfing and leisure paradise taking shape in New Clark City.
Earlier this year, Banyan Tree Clark broke ground at Hann Reserve, and is expected to open in 2026.
