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,” DOT 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.” 

According to the Prix Versailles website, the World’s Most Beautiful Achievements

recognition, “highlights the primary role of the Laureates in beautifying and improving the living environment.” The awardees each year are those who have shown the world exceptional architecture and design.

Other airports that are part of the ninth edition list are Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport in Chile, Beijing Daxing International Airport, Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport, Chengdu Tianfu International Airport, and Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport in China, Berlin Brandenburg Airport in Germany, Eagle County Regional Airport, LaGuardia Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport, Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, and  Los Angeles International Airport in the US, Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport and Thessaloniki Macedonia International Airport in Greece, General Abelardo L. Rodríguez International Airport in Mexico, Helsinki-Vantaa Airport in Finland, Kempegowda International Airport in India, Manchester Airport in the UK, Mohammed V International Airport in Morocco, New Plymouth Airport in New Zealand, Split Airport in Croatia, 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, Sec. Frasco has 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 many as eight million passengers annually.

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