Mayor ‘hot on trail’ to boost tourism

By Jovi T. De Leon
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
ANGELES CITY — Regional Development Council (RDC) Tourism Committee chairman and this city’s Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan said that a number of potential “tourism hot spots” in the region have been identified, including sites in Angeles City – the regional launchpad – where there is a marked interest in sports tourism.
Since assuming the RDC tourism post, Pamintuan has bared his plans, among them the “bundling” of spots for tourists in a single visit.
The RDC executive’s program is in line with the national government’s target of attracting 3.74 million tourists this year aside from increased visitor arrivals in the first five months of the year.
Pamintuan also earlier vowed to plot back into the international map of Central Luzon comprised of the provinces of Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac and Zambales.
Pamintuan cited as an example Camarines Sur which now ranks second, next to Cebu, in terms of local tourist arrivals in a list of the top 12 destinations in the country.
CamSur, he noted, is actually one of the poorest provinces in the country but is attracting tourists in droves with its wake boarding resort in Caramoan town.
“This means that sports tourism is hot,” he quipped.
“Right now, there are two wake boarding sites being built in our area. One is in Barangay Margot, Angeles City, which is being built by the local sports entrepreneurs, and another inside Clark that is being built by the Koreans. These two facilities would certainly cut into the growing market for sports tourism, considering the proximity of Angeles and Clark to Metro Manila, the main market for this sector, as compared with Cam Sur,” he shared.
Pamintuan told Sun.Star Pampanga that sports tourism may be the niche market for Region III, aside from “histourism,” which should also be developed, because of the region’s rich historical and cultural heritage.
“At Clark, we already have the annual Hot Air Balloon Festival, which is a hit even among international hot air balloon sportspersons and aficionados. The car racing and the 4×4 obstacle circuits in the Freeport are getting more and more popular. Over at Subic, a variety of water-based sports events can be calendared. Trekking to Pinatubo is already an attraction, although we have yet to develop support facilities and ensure security in the trekking sites. For amateur mountain climbers and trekkers, we also have Mt. Natib in Bataan. There are also many other areas within Region III that can be developed for a variety of sports-oriented activities,” he said.
He furthered: “I am also aware that in the coasts of Dinggalan Bay in Aurora, sports fishing is possible. Right now sports fishermen have to go to Santa Ana, Cagayan, which is 15 hours away from Manila to enjoy the thrill of their chosen sport. Aurora is only about four hours away from Manila. We certainly hope that the conduct of the Sports Tourism Conference here would attract attention to the potentials of our region, and to what it already has, insofar as sports tourism is concerned.”
In progress and moving
“I have been named chair of the Regional Development Council special committee on tourism, and as mayor of Angeles City, promoting tourism is one of our priorities, since much of the economy of Angeles depend on tourism-oriented industries. Right now, we are closely working with the Reid Foundation, an adjunct of Asia Foundation and the USAID, in developing a tourism road map not only for Angeles but for the Clark-Subic Corridor. We are now in the process of presenting the draft road map to various stakeholders to get more inputs. But we need to do a lot of spadework for Region III to make it to the top 12 destinations. We are not in that list yet, which is an eye opener,” Pamintuan disclosed.
He added: “If we are able to validate the Tourism Roadmap that we have developed, this will provide us the directions and the to-do agenda to put our region in the national and international tourism map.”
Harnessing the potential
Pamintuan revealed: “Central Luzon has far greater potential in tourism than what we realize at the moment. We have a diverse topography of plains, wetlands, mountains and coasts that we can develop. Our history and culture are perhaps the richest in the country, and our gustatory offerings could be a main course, if you will, in attracting tourists. Add to that the growing interest in sports tourism. It helps a lot that we have international gateways in our midst – the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport and the Subic seaport. Gateways are essential in tourism. But, as I said, there are gaps that we need to fill up, particularly in ensuring efficient and safe transport in between locations, lodging, marketing and promotions, among many others.”
Aside from the gateways, he said, the proximity of Central Luzon to Metro Manila, still the main market for local tourists, is a big plus factor. “As I said, there is no need for the hassle of traveling 12 hours by land to CamSur just to wake board, if you can do it in a nearer and better facility in Clark and Angeles, which can offer attractions other than only wake boarding.”
Enhancing the entertainment capital of the country
Pamintuan said that like in Angeles City, there will always be a market for entertainment, particularly gaming and night life.
“I think that this sector will maintain, and even improve, its development pace as we move to introduce reforms. Over at the ever controversial Fields Avenue, we intend to move in to put method into it. Fields, of course, is known for its adult-entertainment establishments. However, we will not come in as some crusading moralists that would padlock these establishments, unless they violate the laws. What we plan to do is to improve on the “look” of the area, to open it up for more wholesome establishments, like fine dining restaurants that serve international cuisine. There are, in fact, already many fine restaurants in the area that can cater to the whole family. We intend to put these restaurants and hotels in one area, and separate them from the nightclubs that cater to adult clientele, and also impose stricter rules on the latter. One thing is sure, we will be uncompromising those involved in shenanigans, like human trafficking and prostitution,” Pamintuan narrated.
Pamintuan stressed that the key to a successful, long term tourism program is cooperation.
“The key here is the participation of the local governments, as well as the private sector. I think that the private sector will certainly come in if we can show them that there is business in tourism-oriented enterprises. Transportation, bed-and-breakfast facilities, gourmet restaurants – these are areas where the private sector can participate in. Government, both local and national, on the other hand, will have to work on the hard and soft infrastructure, security, marketing and promotions and other support mechanisms,” said Pamintuan.
Published in the Sun.Star Pampanga newspaper on August 03, 2011.

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/local-news/2011/08/02/mayor-hot-trail-boost-tourism-170540

Although the Philippines is not known for being the wine capital of Asia, Clark Pampanga is the most frequently visited destination for wine lovers in Cebu, Angeles City and Manila to shop for some good vintage wine. The famous wine shop outside Manila called Clark Wine Center is the largest wine shop in Philippines which offers over 2000 selections of fine vintage wine from all wine regions, vintages spanning over 50 years covering all price ranges.

This wine shop in Clark is highly recommended as one of the best places to buy wine in Pampanga. Clark Freeport is just outside Manila near Subic and Angeles City Philippines is Clark Wine Center. Visitors buy wine in Manila and Pampanga should not miss stopping at this wine shop for a few bottles of fine vintage wines to bring home.

Established in 2002, YATS WINE CELLARS is a wholly-owned business unit of Hong Kong-based Yats International which owns and operates resort, wine shops, wine bars and fine-dining restaurant properties in Clark Freeport in The Philippines. YATS WINE CELLARS caters to a clientele of discerning wine lovers from all over the world. Besides a good selection of wine for everyday enjoyment, YATS offers a unique selection of aged vintage wines made available to wine enthusiasts at remarkably affordable prices. Vintages span over a century and the selection of old- and new-world wines covers all major wine regions.

http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com

Getting to this wine shop in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone Philippines from Manila
Getting to the Clark Wine Center wine shop from Manila is quite simple: after entering Clark Freeport from Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along the main highway M A Roxas. Clark Wine Center is the stand-along white building on the right, at the corner A Bonifacio Ave. From the Clark International Airport DMIA, ask the taxi to drive towards the entrance of Clark going to Angeles City. From Mimosa, just proceed towards the exit of Clark and this wine shop is on the opposite side of the main road M A Roxas.

Clark Wine Center
Bldg 6460 Clark Observatory Building
Manuel A. Roxas Highway corner A Bonifacio Ave,
Angeles Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga 2023
0922-870-5173 0917-826-8790 (ask for Ana Fe)

Wine@Yats-International.com

YATS Wine Cellars
Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 ask for Rea or Chay

Best place to buy wine in Clark Pampanga outside Manila near Subic and Angeles City Philippines is Clark Wine Center.
Wedding couples looking for wedding reception venues and beach wedding venues can log on to this Philippines Wedding Venue web site for free information and assistance:

http://www.PhilippinesWeddingVenue.com

While in Clark, it might be a good idea to enjoy an evening of wine-and-dine in the fine dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar that features an award winning 2700-line wine list. It is located in Mimosa Leisure Estate of Clark Freeport Zone. For more information, visit http://www.YatsRestaurant.com

YATS Leisure Philippines is a developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine shops in Clark Angeles Philippines http://www.YatsLeisure.com

Looking for famous tourists spots, places to visit and see, relax and unwind in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines? You may want to check out these sites also:

http://www.LondonPubClark.com

http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com

http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com

http://www.YatsWineCellars.com

Yats Restaurant is the best restaurant for special dinner, best restaurant for dinner with friends near Manila, also the best place to celebrate special events.

Famous Restaurant in Pampanga, a place to dine with friends in Clark, cozy restaurant with a nice ambience, a nice function place for special occassions

www.YatsRestaurant.com
Where to go in Clark? Hotel Clark Philippines is a De Luxe Hotel in Clark and Subic, a risk free place to stay, cozy and nice ambience, a nice function place for special occassion

www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com