CLARK FREEPORT -- The Clark International Airport has won the 2013 Routes Airport Marketing Awards (Asia Heats-Under 20 Million Passengers category).
Clark International Airport president Victor Jose I. Luciano received the award during the 11th Routes Asia gathering in Mumbai, India on Monday.
The Department of Tourism (DOT) also received the Highly Commended-Destination Marketing Award narrowly missing top honors in this category pulled off by Tourism Australia.
Routes Asia, which was organized by UBM Aviation Routes Ltd based in Manchester in the UK, is the largest route development event for the entire Asia region.
This year, over 700 aviation professionals travelled to Mumbai to participate in the world-renowned airline and airport networking event.
Luciano said the awards were a major boost for Philippine aviation and tourism.
"The real winner here is not only Clark Airport nor the Department of Tourism but the entire aviation and tourism industry in the country. Slowly but surely, we are putting the Philippines back on the global stage and the major players in these industries are taking notice and positive interest in our country," Luciano said.
"Also, what we have shown here is that under the good governance thrust of President Aquino, the Philippines can at last be at par with our more developed and prosperous neighbours in the region," Luciano added.
The award was bestowed to Clark airport during the networking evening gala held at the Renaissance Mumbai Hotel.
Tourism Assistant Secretary Benito C. Bengzon Jr., who spearheaded the Philippines' participation in Routes Asia 2013, received Highly Commended Destination Marketing Award for the agency.
The UBM Aviation Routes said the “Routes Airport Marketing Awards recognize and reward the highest standards of marketing activities undertaken by airports. This year the awards were split into two categories based on the size of the airport, and also a new tourism award for best destination marketing campaign by a tourism authority.”
Changi International Airport in Singapore won the award for the Over 20 Million Passengers category.
Susan Willis, Marketing and Analysis manager at UBM Aviation Routes, explained that CRK got the nod of awards judges due to its "effective growth" in 2012.
"Your airport was voted for by the airline community together with a panel of industry experts drawn from the airline networking planning community where they considered your marketing services and effective growth over the last 12 months," Willis told Clark Airport authorities.
Luciano agreed that Clark airport clinched the award, because of its “phenomenal performance” in terms of growth in its passenger traffic and aircraft movement last year.
Under 20-million passengers category, Clark airport edged out six other major airports in Asia, namely: Aukland International Airport in Mangere, New Zealand; Bengaluru International Airport in Devanahalli, Kamataka, India; Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Shamshabad, Hyderabad, Andrha Pradesh, India; Juanda-Surabaya International Airport in Sidoarjo, Indonesia; Kansai International Airport in Osaka, Japan; and Siem Reap International Airport in Siem Reap, Cambodia.
Included in the short-list of Destination Marketing Awards were the Okinawa Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Philippine Department of Tourism, the Singapore Tourism Board, Tourism Australia, and Tourism New Zealand.