DOT: Feasibility study needed for SBMA resort conversion 

An official of the Department of Tourism (DOT) said the $5 billion plan to convert the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) into a Sentosa type resort needs further study. The conversion would drastically change the nature of the highly secured and state of the art Subic International Airport which is “a great asset” in the former American military facility.

 

DOT undersecretary for planning and promotions Daniel Corpuz said the SBMA is an important tourism destination for the Philippines and plans to convert the facility into a theme park should be backed by a feasibility study.

 

Corpuz said the SBMA feasibility study should carefully map out the impact of an SBMA conversion into a theme park.

 

To exemplify the benefit of a feasibility study, he cited the government’s plan to promote medical tourism in the country, which is now being studied by a technical working group (TWG) composed of the Departments of Trade, Tourism and Health.

 

“Facilities must indeed serve local population but should also open up to foreigners,” said Corpuz.

 

The tourism official said foreign tourist arrivals at the Clark international airport has doubled this year, reaching more than 300,000. This prompted the need to establish another terminal to serve the increasing number of passengers.

 

Undersecretary Corpuz said the Clark International Airport experienced the over 100-percent increase in passengers due to expanded operations of budget airlines flying the Asian routes.

 

DOT statistics showed that there were 163,852 foreign tourists who arrived at the Clark International Airport from January to December 2011. Furthermore, Corpuz said the number of foreign tourist arrivals in Clark International Airport has doubled this year. — DVM, GMA News