THE number of investment firms and attractions in Clark Freeport continues to increase, making it the leading investment and tourism destination in the Philippines today.
In a briefing with Qatar-based media, Clark Development Corporation Vice President for Business Development Eva Tejada said the number of investors and locators has been on an upswing, given Clark's advantage.
"Clark is not just a Freeport. It has an international airport which serves as a plus factor. It caters to both business people and tourists," Tejada said.
She said there are now 1,123 foreign and local firms that have located their businesses and Clark.
The locators include industry leaders like Texas Instruments, Samsung, Posco E&C, Mercedes Benz, SM Prime Holdings, and Yokohama Tires, among others.
These companies employ a total of 135,114 workers, while their actual investments amount to US$4.85 billion.
The Clark International Airport (CRK) also has increased its number of domestic, regional and international flights. There are now 246 international flights per week to 12 destinations while domestic total to 488 flights to 28 destinations.
CRK will also have a new passenger terminal next year that can accommodate 8 million passengers annually. This year, passengers using CRK is expected to reach 4.5 million.
On tourism, Clark has also attracted big names in the hotel industry like Marriott and Hilton. The opening of more attractions such as the Aqua Planet, a 10-hectare water theme park with 38 slides and attractions and other leisure sites have bolstered tourist arrivals.
Clark is also being primed as a Mice (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibits) destination with its growing number of hotel rooms, conference sites, exhibition centers.
While Clark has been conferred as a Sports Tourism awardee, it got a big boost with the construction of a world-class 20,000-seater athletics stadium and aquatics center at the New Clark City.