CLARK FREEPORT – This Freeport has been named the “Destination of the Year 2015” during the first edition of the Philippine Sports Tourism Awards (PTSA) held on November 22 at Resorts World Manila.
Clark was given the said award for staging the Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Festival (PIHABF), “the only festival that combines ground event with aviation-related activities in an all-in-one extravaganza for local and foreign enthusiasts,” as written in the souvenir program of the event.
The sports tourism award was spearheaded by Selrahco Management, organizer of various Sports Tourism Forum in the Philippines in collaboration with the Tourism Promotions Board of the Department of Tourism and Philippine Sports Commission.
Other awardees include Sunrise Events, Inc. for Organizer of the Year-Private, Municipality of Lubao Pampanga for Organizer of the Year-Government, Tabuelan III for Domestic Event of the Year, Ironman 70.3 for International Event of the Year, Philippine International Sailing Federation for Sports Association of the Year, Ironman 70.3 – Province of Cebu for Destination Marketing of the Year, Resorts World Manila Golf Masters for Event Sponsorship of the Year and Fat Boy 10s Rugby for Charity Event of the Year.