SCTEX beefs up domestic tourist traffic in Central Luzon

MANILA, Philippines - Domestic tourist traffic to Central Luzon increased by 9.24 percent last year compared to the 2008 figure as the state-run Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) became fully operational.

“As most domestic travelers come from Metro Manila, the full completion of the SCTEX and its seamless complementation with the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) augured well for the transformation of the Northern Luzon region – namely, Central Luzon, Ilocos, Cagayan Valley and Cordilleras – into favorite tourist destinations,” said Ronaldo “Ronnie” Tiotuico, regional director for Central Luzon of the Department of Tourism (DOT).

Domestic tourists refer to Filipino and foreign travelers residing in the Philippines. The DOT distinguishes them from foreign visitors who are made up of tourists from other countries as well as Filipino balikbayans.  

Based on the figures submitted by hotels, hostels and other tourist accommodation facilities in Central Luzon, domestic visitor arrivals in the region went up from 365,463 in 2008 to 399,224 last year.  

“A major reason for this increase was the region’s easy access from Metro Manila,” Tiotuico noted. “Now, more than ever, land travel has never been this easy.”

Ten of the 11 interchanges of the 94-kilometer SCTEX were operational in 2009. The Floridablanca Interchange opened for commercial operations last January 2010 signaling all 11 interchanges open for commercial operations.

Domestic tourists, comprising 72.5 percent of the total 550,277 tourist arrivals in 2009, visited and stayed at least one night in the various accommodation facilities in the provinces and cities of Central Luzon. Foreign visitors, mostly tourists coming from the United States of America, Japan and South Korea, accounted for 27.5 percent of last year’s arrival figures.

Around 98.99 percent of the total domestic travelers registered last year was made up of Filipinos while the remaining 1.01 percent was comprised of foreigners residing in the Philippines.

Over the last three years, domestic tourist traffic increased by 57 percent from the 254,273 domestic visitor arrivals total in 2006. This, Tiotuico observed, could be attributed to the so-called “holiday economics” of the Arroyo administration which allows Filipinos as well as foreigners living in the country to plan their vacation ahead of time targeting mostly the long weekends.

Under its holiday economics program, the Arroyo government moves holidays falling in the middle of the week to the nearest Monday or Friday to minimize work disruptions, thereby creating three-day or, sometimes, even longer weekends.

“All these figures indicate that domestic tourism is still the backbone of the industry and a reflection of what the region offers in terms of tourist facilities and amenities which any visitor may take advantage of,” said Tiotuico.

The tourism executive said the Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga, for example, is known for its quality and world-class accommodation amenities. The same is true for the Subic Bay Freeport Zone in Zambales which, aside from its top-notch accommodation facilities, also boasts of nature-based attractions that offer visitors a wide range of options.