Sports Tourism Philippines Next Objective
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Photo by: Juliet Solar
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one of the Top 10 Subic Bay sports activitiesSports tourism is expected to bring the next million, first-time tourists to the Philippines. In discussion with Directors of Department of Tourism in Makati City this is the real expectation. But what sports and where?
One example: Subic Bay Freeport
Subic Bay is a one-hour drive from Clark International Airport or a three-hour drive from Metro Manila. The Bay measures approximately twelve kilometers North to South and eight kilometers East to West; it is bounded to the East and to the West by mountains. The eastern mountains (surrounding the former U.S. Naval base) are heavily forested, with old-growth rainforest, while the western mountains (away from the former U.S. Naval base) are mostly stripped of forest cover. The area of the former U.S. Naval base is known today as the Subic Bay Freeport and is managed by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (“SBMA”)
Subic Bay Freeport is a perfect example of a location that highlights the opportunities awaiting sports tourists (perhaps “activity tourists” is a better term). Over breakfast at Vasco’s Bar & Grill and Resort, we talked with Brian Homan – owner – about Subic Bay and the real opportunities that are available today and those that could be available.
After spending the last two decades building his business in Subic Bay, Brian is unequivocal, “there is nowhere else in Asia like Subic Bay . . . the best wreck diving in Asia, forests, beaches, rivers, a huge expanse of flat water for water sports, first class hotels and resorts, a wide selection of good restaurants, theme parks, cultural experiences, and all within an hour of an international airport [Clark]”.
Listening to Brian one cannot imagine why Subic Bay is not overflowing with sports/activity tourists. Brian is similarly unequivocal on that too, “SBMA Tourism don’t do anything to promote Subic Bay . . . never have”.
We found our way to the SBMA (Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority) Tourism office, beside the modest edifice of the Subic Bay Convention Center, to get their perspective. We met with the in-charge of Promotions, Julious M. Macam, and put to him the question: why is it that promotions for Subic Bay are not easily visible outside of the confines of Subic Bay and (nearby) Clark?
“Our budget is very limited . . . we attend tourism trade events only in Manila . . . we have asked for funding from TPB [Tourism Promotions Board] to promote Subic Bay in Hong Kong and Australia but nothing has happened yet”.
Bearing in mind that most potential visitors will most likely obtain their first glimpse of Subic Bay through the Internet, we asked why the SBMA website did not do more to promote the sports tourism opportunity online. Julious admitted that websites were not under the control of SBMA Tourism.
So what does Subic Bay actually offer?
Here are the Top-10 sports/activities in Subic Bay today:
Scuba Diving
Subic Bay is blessed with a huge expanse of almost pristine water, that spans the entire eastern half of the Bay. There are Spanish era wrecks here but the highlights are the World War II wrecks of both Japanese and American ships and airplanes. All are within a 30-minute boat ride of a dive shop; there is an airplane wreck submerged right in front of Vasco’s.
Snorkeling
Between the southeast corner of Subic Bay and out to Grande Island there are some magnificent corals to snorkel over and fields of giant clams with gaping mouths.
Windsurfing
During the periods of January to February and from June to August, the combination of moderate breezes and soft-sand beaches in the vicinity of Moonbay Marina are the perfect location for windsurfers of all levels of experience.
Kiteboarding
For kiteboarders, like the windsurfers, the onshore moderate breezes during the period from June to August are perfect for learning to kiteboard or for kiteboarding at speed. Also, during this period of the year, extreme kiteboarding, across large waves, is possible, along the reef area that lies between Grande Island and the southeast tip of the Bay.
Sailing
There a few places to sail around Asia that offer a large, mostly flat, expanse of water, with predictable wind, that regularly blows from noon to dusk and frequently all of the day – Subic Bay is one such place and delivers it all year round. Combine this with one of the most typhoon-safe marinas anywhere on the planet and you have the perfect sailing destination for keelboats, multihulls and sports boats. Add to this the opportunity to day-sail, outside Subic Bay, to some excellent beach areas (South) to Morong or (North) to Capones, and you have the perfect tropical sailing destination.
Kayaking
Whether you want to kayak explore rivers, beaches or across open water, Subic Bay is ideal. The great thing about kayaking around Subic Bay is that there are so many convenient places to stop and imbibe Nature . . . or a refreshing drink or two.
Sport Fishing
Sport fishing is only allowed in a few designated areas around the Subic Bay shoreline (controlled by SBMA), but take a boat outside the entrance to the Bay and, depending on the time of year, sport fishing will typically fill your supper plate with marlin, sailfish, dorado, trevally, grouper or snapper.
Birdwatching
Some of the Philippines’ rarest birds live in the old-growth forest that covers much of the area managed by SBMA. Wake in the morning to the sight (and sound) of hornbills and parrots, throughout the day kingfishers, brahminy kites and terns near the water, high above the forest canopy may be circling serpent eagles and hawks, and at sundown there are doves and owls calling. To view the bird-life of Subic Bay is to perceive how the majority of the Philippines once looked, before the forests were stripped for profit: a kaleidoscope of flashing color and a cacophony of birdsong. The old-growth forest is the main reason that the waters in the eastern side of Subic Bay are so clear for scuba diving and snorkeling – no loss of top-soil.
Golf
Subic Golf is an 18-hole golf course, with a checkered history since the U.S. Navy left. Currently under the management of SBMA, Subic Golf offers golfing with beautiful forest views, and with the novelty of monkeys as spectators.
JetSkiing
There are designated areas for jetskis, most especially off the beach at Moonbay Marina. For the speed-junkies, the typically flat waters of Subic Bay make for an ideal place to open the throttle. For the more adventurous, you can jetski out to the mouth of the Bay, to Grande Island, or even farther afield to Morong or to Capones.
Add to these sports and activities, a selection of theme parks:
Ocean Adventure
Ocean Adventure – where the whales, dolphins, and other animals and marine life, can be observed up close and personal, and where education in marine conservation is high on the agenda.
JEST Camp
JEST (Jungle Environment Survival Training) Camp – the forest provides everything that Man could possibly need (as opposed to want) and at the JEST Camp the indigenous people of the Philippines teach you survival skills (as they did for U.S. airmen during the Vietnam War) so that fire, food, water and shelter will never be your concern
Tree Top Adventure
Tree Top Adventure – where you can traverse the forest canopy and enjoy or learn about, or both, the rain forest and its biodiversity and ecology
Zoobic Safari
Zoobic Safari – where tigers roam the forest and, from the safety of an armored jeep, you can even feed them
Grande Island
Grande Island – not really a theme park but an activity destination located near the mouth of the Bay where you can: rent a bicycle, take a historical island tour (this is where the Spanish first capitulated to the U.S. Forces and Filipino militia in 1898), go horse back riding; play volley ball, soccer, basketball & badminton; go banana boat riding, jet skiing, snorkeling, kayaking, fishing, helmet diving and scuba diving
And finally, a series of sporting events throughout the year: from sailing regattas to triathlon events and many more.
Subic Bay has some of the largest and best tourist hotels and resorts that can be found anywhere in the Philippines, or in Asia. There are a score of traditional tourist hotels and then there are the Subic Bay boutique hotels, such as The Lighthouse Marina Hotel, and beach resorts, such as the Camayan Beach Resort. And if you prefer to do-it-yourself then you can find a good selection of Subic Bay rooms, homestays and bed-and-breakfast places, through websites such as AirBnB.
With such an opportunity for sports / activity tourism growth it is perhaps incredible that more has not been done to promote Subic Bay’s natural and Man-made assets. Julious had an answer for that too, “Subic Bay is sleeping”.
Sports / activity tourism in Subic Bay can definitely bring the next million visitors to the Philippines and Subic Bay is just one destination. More GetWet sports /activity destinations later . . .
Discover more about sports in Subic Bay