ANNEXES

Annex A. Tourism Development Issues/Challenges in Central Luzon

Issues/Challenges
Market
  • Lack of information/knowledge on behavior and characteristic of current markets (e.g. no visitor sample survey results)
  • Lack of information/knowledge on the visitor experience – e.g. satisfaction levels for tour packages, amenities, facilities and services
  • Lack of market intelligence on the needs and preferences of existing and potential MICE, adventure, religious, historical, culinary
  • Lack of promotion on Subic-Clark as one destination
  • Lack of funds for professional marketing campaign and promotions
  • Poor coordination between the public and private sectors on the responsibilities and roles in the packaging and promotion of events and tour packages.
  • Lack of synergy in the marketing efforts of Subic and Clark
  • Development and promotions are focused on Clark and Subic, with little emphasis on the environs such as Tarlac, Bataan and Zambales

Products
  • Need for development of new products and experience (local and regional)
  • Packages are limited to site visits or holding of events but lack focus on visitor’s experience
  • Limited organized tour packages in Aurora, Bataan, Nueva Ecija
  • Lack of packaged tourism attractions resulting in tourism operators focusing on outbound market promotion.
  • Limited number of integrated destinations offering a variety of things to see and do (especially the highly attractive leisure, entertainment, sport, and MICE complexes) able to support a large volume of tourists at a price that is competitive. (NTDP)
  • Fragmented activities and attractions. No program that ties up the various destinations or attractions. This tends to limit the choices of tourists in terms of places to visit or attractions to enjoy.
  • No identified brand of products specifically for the Region. Brand that would project good image of the region.
  • For Subic and Clark, no institutionalized supplier of products from other regions
  • Limited activities within Subic Bay and Clark Zone.

Facilities
  • Less competitive level of MICE in Subic and Clark compared to other Asian countries. (less than 3000 rooms for the standard and deluxe category)
  • Limited number of first class to deluxe room services
  • Lack of hotel accommodation in Zambales and Aurora areas
  • Lack of clean public amenities between Clark and Subic
  • Underdeveloped beaches in Zambales and Bataan;
  • Accreditation ratings do not reflect the quality of services provided
  • Lack of information about tourism sites and activities that can be easily accessed from hotel lobbies, airport terminals, malls
  • Below tourist standards facilities and services (e.g. Bataan, Iba, Dingalan and Dinalungan, Baler, DMIA)
  • Lack of good and highly visible signages leading to tourism sites
  • Limited number of convention facilities

Infrastructure
  • Lack of international commercial flights to connect DMIA to source markets such as Japan, Australia, China and the Middle East
  • Lack of domestic flights connecting DMIA and other destinations such as Puerto Princesa, Davao, Bohol, Iloilo, Bacolod in order to motivate visitors to use DMIA as entry point
  • Need for new Terminal for DMIA to accommodate future growth of carriers, especially low-cost carriers
  • Absence of an integrated transportation system that will seamlessly move visitors from Subic to other destinations in the region
  • Lack of regular public transport system to move visitors within Subic and Clark
  • Lack of regular public transport system to move from Subic and Clark to surrounding areas, e.g. Tarlac, Zambales
  • High taxi fares in DMIA
  • Improve transport system to include railway (high speed train) to reduce travel time between Metro Manila and DMIA and the Corridor
  • Lack of connectivity between and among provincial tourist destinations
  • Poor lighting system along SCTEX
  • Inability to develop and expand air accessibility to key growth markets in terms of routes, frequencies, and capacities. (NTDP)
  • Inadequate air, sea, and road connectivity between the major international gateways and domestic market centers and destinations of interest (NTDP)

Institutional
  • Long process for application and renewal of visa
  • Weak/poor coordination among government institutions
  • Lack of professional tourism officers at the local level because of the lack of support from LGUs
  • Setting up one-stop shops for business and investments
  • Promoting sustainable tourism programs
  • Infrastructure development for inter-municipality roads
  • Few tour operators for in-bound tourism
  • Lack of tour guides that private tour operators which can easily tap
  • Overlapping institutional functions between and national government and LGUs resulting in uncoordinated, fragmented, and inefficient outcomes (NTDP)
  • Need for visitor information and assistance centers in tourism areas to help/assist tourist in moving around the region
  • Need to develop tourism in Tarlac

Source: National Tourism Development Plan 2011-2016, Subic-Clark Corridor Tourism Roadmap, Regional Development Plan

Other issues/challenges as identified in previous workshops:

Issues/Challenges
  • Need to ensure safety standards as one of the primary concerns of tourists.
  • Need to develop self-guided, intra-provincial tours for the domestic market with detailed itineraries and maps.
  • The region should think about where it would position itself vis-à-vis other competing regions in the Philippines and how it would be more competitive.
  • As with other countries, tourism offices need to be located along highways or main road for easy access of tourists.
  • Airport hustling or poor tourist handling in airports. Tourist handlers should be able to put in place appropriate and excellent services for tourists using our airports.
  • Need to promote a culture of tourism among the region’s populace to help in creating an environment conducive to tourism.
  • There should be more activities and places to see and enjoy and interact with the people.
  • Need to revive value-formation slogans.

Annex B. Central Luzon’s Tourist Attractions, By Province/TDA

Tourism Sites/Activity/Products by TDA
ANGELES CITY
Culinary / Culinary museum, cooking demo
Culinary Tour: Kapampangan (Bale Dutung)
International cuisine:
Thai – Balibago
Middle Eastern Food - Fields District
European, Mexican, Japanese - Don Juico
Korean - FilAm Friendship Highway
Sisig hotspots
Historical/Cultural /Religious / Heritage Tour, Museum and Art Tour, Architectural Tour: Museo Ning Angeles, Pamintuan house, Center for Kapampangan Studies , Founder’s house
Independence day reenactment @ Pamintuan House
Lantern Festival (Lubenas ning Pasku)
Fiesta Tour: Religious Processions , Kapampangan Fiesta Buffet, Filipino traditional childhood games (Palusebo, luksong tinik, etc.
Tilbury Horse Competition, Open Air orchestra (Serenata),
Local and International Cultural Performances, Street dance party sa araw at gabi
Sapang Bato Bagius Festival : Wing theme dancing
Red Tour: History tour of the red light district
Religious Tour: Siete Palabras (Crucifixion/passion of Christ during Holy Week) October Fiesta Month: Apu Archdiocesan Shrine and Holy Rosary Church
Entertainment and Gaming / Casino Filipino
Sports Tourism / Deca Clark Wakeboarding
CLARK
Sports Events / Hot Air Balloon Festival, Clark Parade Grounds sports events (cricket, rugby, paintball, Frisbee, softball, baseball, ect.), Clark International Speedway, Clark Eagle Firing Range
Golf Course / Mimosa Golf and Country Club, Fontana Water Park and Golf Club, FACC (Korean Golf Club)
Eco-adventure / El Kabayo Riding Stables, Paradise Ranch/Zoocobia
Educational / Clark Educational Tours
OLONGAPO CITY
Historical/Cultural /Religious / Historical Tours in Olongapo City museum and landmarks
Groto sa Mabayuhan , Three Cross at Mt. Balimpuyo
Entertainment / Olongapo Nightlife (original Gapo sounds/bands)
Eco-tour / Mountain and hill treks, falls
Scuba Diving and other water activities
SBMA
Theme Parks / Ocean Adventure, ZOOBIC safari, Treetop Adventure
Eco-tour / Pamulaklakin forest trail, bird watching
Sports Tourism / Asean Triathlon (swimming, bike and run), International regatta sailboat
Diving / Subic dive site
MICE
AURORA
Surf / Sabang Beach, Baler; Charlie’s Point, Baler; Cobra Reef, Baler; Dicasalarin Cove, Baler; Lindy’s Point, Baler; Secret Point, Baler; Lobbot, Dipaculao; Dinadiawan, Dipaculao; Ditale, Dipaculao; Dalugan Beach, Casiguran; Diniog Point, Dilasag; Dimanayat Point, San Luis; Dicapinisan, San Luis
Trek / Mt. Mingan, Dingalan; Ditumabo Falls, San Luis; Dibudalan Trail, San Luis; Mt. Minoli, San Luis; Mt. Danayag, San Luis; Mt. Maaling-aling, San Luis; Mt. Udok, Maria Aurora; Bazal-Baubo Watershed, Maria Aurora; Mt. Anacuao, Dinalungan; Kasaysayan, Dilasag; Kayak at Manggitahan River, Dilasag; Mountain Biking, Bird Watching
Dive / Munitng Gasang, Baler; Cobra Reef, Baler; Tariktik Point, Baler; Aniao Point, Baler; Nabaliw, Baler; Dibutunan, Dipaculao; Digarin Point, San Luis; Mabudo, Dinalungan; Ditangol, Dinalungan; Tordil, Casiguran; Pandungan, Casiguran; Canawer, Casiguran
Festivals / Aurora Day Celebration, Kinagunasan Festival (A Festival of Hope, a Celebration of Life), Sabutan Festival, Coco-Sabutan Festival, Rang-ay Festival, Pagbiagan Festival, Saba Festival, Diget Sayahan Festival, Penitensya (Holy Week) in Baler and Casiguran, Komedya de Baler, Phil-Spanish Friendship Day
Local Cuisine/Delicacies and Products / Ensaladang pakpo; ginataang pako; ginataang suso; suman; peanut butter; coco jam; sabutan hats, bags, slippers & accessories; buting; katid; pelishokin
Historical/Cultural / Sabutan Festival, Coco sabutan Festiva, Holy Week Rites (Ermita Hill,-Casiguran- Nuestra Senora de la Ermita), Aurora Day Celebration, Phil-Spanish Friendship Day, Aurora Surfing Competitions
BATAAN
Historical/Cultural / Araw ng Kagitingan (March 30 to April 9)
May Flower Festival ng Pagbubunyi (May)
Las Casas; Holy Week ritual
Pilgrimage Tour
Eco Tour / Pawikan Festival and wetland migratory birds
Sports Tourism / Mountain biking
Beach/Inland Resort Tourism
BULACAN
Historical/Cultural / Kakarong De Sili, Biak na Bato, Barasoain Church
Fertilility, Carabao, Singkaban Festivals
Capitangan Crucifixion, Groto Vista
Educational / Arts and crafts, Tour of old houses, Barasoain Kalinangan Theater Group, culinary
Nature/ Ecotourism / DRT caves and falls, river cruise/sports
Products / Buntal Hats, Minasa
MICE
NUEVA ECIJA
Eco-Adventure / Trekking, mountaineering, white water tubbing, rafting, sports fishing, jetski, wild duck hunting
Educational Tour/agri-tourism
PAMPANGA
Heritage/Cultural / Old Churches: Minalin, Betis
Festivals: Giant Lantern, Lubenas , “aguman sandok” Fellowship of the Laddle, “Kuraldal” Fertility Dance, Holy Week rituals, Apo Iru fluvial procession
Ecotourism / Candaba wetland’s bird watching, Mt. Arayat
Arts and Crafts / Wood carvings, lantern making
Culinary / Delicacies, processed meat
TARLAC
Historical/Cultural /Religious / Capas Shrine, Ninoy Aquino Museum
Monastery
Eco-adventure / Pinatubo trek, San Jose mountain climbing, kayaking, bird watching
Sports / Tarlac Recreational Park
ZAMBALES
Historical/Cultural /Religious / Magsaysay Ancestral House Museum, Casa San Miguel,
PMMA
Garden of Prayer, Subic
Ina Poonbato, Loob-bunga, Botolan
Old Churches : Sta. Monica Church,St. Augustine Cathedral, San Andres Church
Festivals: Zambales Mango Festival, Domorokdok Festival, Binabayani Festival
Eco-adventure / Capones Island, Anawangin Cove
Mapanuepe Lake, Sunken Village (Pundaquit)
Mountain Treks in Cinco Picos, Subic and Mt. Tapulao, Palauig