DOT hails inclusion of CRK as world’s most beautiful airport

The Department of Tourism (DOT) celebrates the inclusion of Clark International Airport (CRK) as one of the world’s most beautiful airports this year, earning the prestigious Prix Versailles, the World Architecture and Design Award of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).  

“This accolade not only reflects the aesthetic grandeur of the Clark International Airport but also showcases the Philippines as a destination that values both function and beauty in its infrastructure. We are excited to continue welcoming travelers from around the world to experience the beauty of CRK and the Philippines,” Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco remarked in response to the prestigious award received by CRK.

“The DOT is committed to continue our dedication to push for the improvement of our transport infrastructures in collaboration with other government agencies with the comfort and convenience of the traveling public, on top of our mind. Our vision reflects that of our President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr’s intention to position tourism as a pillar of economic growth for the country based on competitiveness that highlights Filipino uniqueness and ingenuity,” added the Secretary.

According to https://www.prix-versailles.com/, the World’s Most Beautiful Achievements recognition, granted by the Prix Versailles, “highlights the primary role of the Laureates in beautifying and improving the living environment.” The awardees each year are those that have shown the world exceptional architecture and design.

Other airports that are part of the 9th edition list are Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport in Chile, Beijing Daxing International Airport in China, Berlin Brandenburg Airport in Germany, Chengdu Tianfu International Airport in China, Eagle County Regional Airport in the United States, Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport in Greece, General Abelardo L. Rodríguez International Airport in Mexico, Helsinki-Vantaa Airport in Finland, Kempegowda International Airport in India, LaGuardia Airport in the United States, Los Angeles International Airport in the United States, Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport in the United States, Manchester Airport in the United Kingdom, Mohammed V International Airport in Morocco, New Plymouth Airport in New Zealand, Newark Liberty International Airport in the United States, Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport in China, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in the United States, Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport in China, Split Airport in Croatia, Thessaloniki Macedonia International Airport in Greece, Turkistan International Airport in Turkistan, and Van Don International Airport in Vietnam.

In 2021, CRK also emerged as one of the six world finalists for the same award.

Since her assumption to office as tourism chief, Secretary Frasco directed the maximization of the country’s secondary gateways.

She and Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista have fostered strong collaborations on tourism and transport by engaging in convergence meetings since last year for the enhancement of tourism and transport sectors.

She also met with Luzon-based stakeholders in Clark as part of her listening tours in a bid to collaborate more in boosting tourist arrivals in CRK to further business tourism opportunities, particularly in Northern and Central Luzon.

As a gateway, Clark can serve as much as eight million passengers annually.

Currently, CRK services flights to the country’s major tourist destinations like Caticlan (Boracay), Puerto Princesa and Busuanga, (Palawan), Davao, Cebu, Iloilo, Bacolod, General Santos, and Cagayan de Oro, while servicing international routes including Clark to Hongkong, Bangkok, and Singapore.