PHILIPPINES -- Tourist arrivals in Central Luzon and the northern regions have significantly increased as a result of much-improved road networks that made tourist destinations in these areas more accessible.
''Land travel in these areas has never been this easy,'' said Ronaldo ''Ronnie'' Tiotuico, regional director for Central Luzon of the Department of Tourism (DoT).
Tiotuico specifically cited the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) which also interconnects three key growth areas in Central Luzon - Subic Freeport in Olongapo City, Zambales; Clark Freeport in Angeles City, Pampanga; and Central Techno Park in Tarlac - as a major contributor to the unprecedented growth of tourism in northern Philippines.
''SCTEX and its seamless complementation with the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) augurs well for the transformation of the Northern Luzon regions into a favorite tourist destination, ''Tiotuico further stressed.
He noted that more and more tourists are attracted because of the ease of travel using SCTEX.
Tiotuico disclosed that visitor arrivals in Central Luzon surpassed the half million mark (560,000) last year, representing a 15 percent increase over the previous year. Tourist authorities have predicted that visitor arrivals would hit the two million mark over the next five years.
Local tourists accounted for 55 percent of the 560,000 while foreigners mostly from South Korea, Malaysia, and Singapore made up the remaining 45 percent.
Tiotuico pointed out that South Koreans registered the highest number at 42,431, followed by the Malaysians at 31,767.
The peak seasons are the summer months of March and April, as well as December when people all over the world traditionally travel.
Tiotuico pointed out that the figures indicated that domestic tourism remains the backbone of the industry.
The tourism official said visitor accommodations and other tourism-related facilities in the provinces of Central Luzon are now globally competitive.
He also cited the nature-based tourist attractions in Subic that continue to draw visitors in large numbers on a daily basis.
The seamless journey and panoramic view along the 94-kilometer SCTEX have gained favorable reviews from travelers, both local and foreign.
