SBMA chairman bares tourism master plan

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT, Philippines  – The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) bared plans to make this freeport a world-class tourist destination.

At the Third Planning and Development Conference on Rural Tourism held here recently, SBMA said it is conducting feasibility studies on the conversion of the Subic Bay International Airport into an integrated family resort like Singapore’s Sentosa Island.

“This is the centerpiece of our tourism program,” SBMA chairman and administrator Roberto Garcia told The STAR, saying the plan could boost foreign tourist arrival here.

“Remember that the target of the Aquino administration is to draw 10 million tourists by 2016. However, if we can build a world-class iconic tourist destination just imagine how many million tourists it would bring in,” he said.

 Garcia said SBMA will also enhance its eco-tourism program and capitalize on its existing nature-themed parks like the Ocean Adventure Marine Park, Treetop Adventure, and Zoobic Safari.

He said Subic’s eco parks is attracting more foreign visitors, citing the recent visit of a UK-based cruise ship, whose passengers were awed by Subic’s biodiversity and the culture of the Aeta tribe.

Garcia said Subic is ready to host various international sporting events like the Century Tuna 5i50 Triathlon on June 24 and the recent Subic International Triathlon last May 5 and 6.

He said Subic also hosted different water sport events and is now regarded as the sailing capital of the Philippines, after serving as venue for events such as the Commodore’s Cup, which is part of the Asian sailing circuit competition.

“SBMA always stands ready to constantly promote eco-tourism.  That’s why we are fully supporting the international school headed by Dr. Mina Gabor to see in what way we can further promote Subic as an eco-tourism center, considering the unique environment that Subic has compared to many other places in the Philippines,” he said.