The Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Clark International Airport in Pampanga, Philippines has been conferred the Highly Commended-Destination Marketing Award and the 2013 Routes Airport Marketing Awards respectively at the 11th Routes Asia held in Mumbai recently. DOT and the Clark International Airport were acknowledged for its high standard of marketing activities and campaigns undertaken to promote its tourism products and airport.

Benito C. Bengzon Jr., Assistant Secretary, International Tourism Promotions, DOT, who led the delegation from the Philippines at Routes Asia 2013, received the Highly Commended-Destination Marketing Award at the networking event for airports, airport, airlines and tourism policy leaders. The 2013 Routes Airport Marketing Awards (Asia Heats-Under 20-million passengers category) was received Victor Jose Luciano, President and Chief Executive, Clark International Airport Corp.

Four international tourism boards- the Okinawa Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Singapore Tourism Board, Tourism Australia, and Tourism New Zealand besides DOT competed for the Best Destination Marketing Award where DOT bagged the highly commended destination award and Tourism Australia was declared the winner.

Receiving the prestigious award, Benito Bengzon, Jr., said, “It’s a proud moment for the Philippine aviation and the tourism industry. Our promotional program It’s More Fun in the Philippines which received overwhelming response from the travel community all over the world has been very instrumental in helping us reach this stage. We would like to take this opportunity to thank and acknowledge the efforts and hard work of all behind this success.”

The Clark International Airport topped six other airports in Asia which were also nominated for the Best Airport Marketing Award at the event. Auckland International Airport in Mangere, New Zealand; Bengaluru International Airport in Devanahalli, Karnataka, India; Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Shamshabad, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India; Juanda-Surabaya International Airport in Sidoarjo, Indonesia; Kansai International Airport in Osaka, Japan; and Siem Reap International Airport in Siem Reap, Cambodia were the other airports shortlisted for the award.

Routes Asia facilitates the growth and development of new air links within the Asian region. The event this year was attended by over 700 aviation professionals who shared marketing opportunities and discussed future investments with their counterparts in the industry. The Routes Airport Marketing Awards recognize and reward the highest standards of marketing activities undertaken by airports every year. The tourism award for the best destination marketing campaign by a tourism authority was introduced this year at the event.