Subic Bay Beaches and Resorts are now the closest beach destination to Angeles city and Manila

May 5, 2008 - PRLog -- The Subic-Clark-Tarlac expressway (SCTex) has been open one week now and already it seems to be having a positive impact on Subic Bay area tourism. Subic Bay Beaches and resorts (http://www.seahorsetours.com/subic/beach.html )are now the closest beach destination to Angeles City and Manila due to SCTex.  The Subic-Clark-Tarlac expressway opened on the 28th of April, 2008 after a couple of dry runs. Just in time for the Labor Day holiday. Judging from the number of hotel rooms booked from Thursday to Sunday it seems that many took the Friday as an extra day and turned it into a 4 day holiday. Some users from Manila reported trips of one hour and twenty minutes to one hour forty minutes from the Manila toll gate to Subic Bay Freeport. Visitors from the Angeles city and Clark economic zone report about forty minutes. One visitor stated that besides the time saved, he found the ride almost stress free, that he felt fresh when he arrived unlike previous trips in which the drive had left him tired and on edge. In fact, a number of people mentioned that the toll for the road was well worth it because of the savings on gas and for not having to worry about a jeepney or trike pulling out in front of you and stopping.

To be fair you can not say that the Sctex had a huge impact on the weekend hotel sales, as most hotels (http://www.subic-resorts.com)were fully booked before the road opened.  What is clear however is that many people came down for the day and made inquires for future dates. Seahorse Tours & Souvenirs President Charles W. Davis spoke with a number of guests over the weekend that had traveled along the new road.  One guest at the Arizona International Hotel & Resort (http://www.seahorsetours.com/hotel/arizona-subic/arizona....) was quoted as saying “While we always liked coming to Subic Bay, but the 3 to 4 hour travel time was a determent.  With it now under 2 hours we can do it on a more spur of the moment getaway.” Other guest stated similar feelings that instead of a once or twice a year trip, it will now be every other month or more.  

Those from Angeles city see it as adding a new beach to the city. Granted that it is still 45 minutes from Angeles city to Subic Bay now instead of the 2 to 2 and a half hours, but it takes longer to go from the Clark Freeport at the edge of the city to the city hall then it does from the Clark Freeport to Subic Bay. The weekend saw many from Angeles city coming for the day to enjoy the fresh air and water. The Mai Tai bar and Grill at the Arizona International Hotel saw a number of guest who came for the day, had lunch and some drinks while enjoying the hotels beach and pool. Camayan Beach resort also saw a large number of day visitors from the Clark Area.  It is not al one sided, some of the people who live in Subic area used the SCtex to visit the SM mall in Angeles city and enjoy some of the fine international restaurants around the Clark Freeport.

Seahorse Tours & Souvenirs also sees a coming boom in international arrivals. As news of the new connection hits the short haul international market many visitors will add Subic Bay to their destinations. Also recent international agreements have a projected increase use of the DMIA airport at Clark.

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Seahorse Tours & Souvenirs is the area's leader in tours and travel packages. We offer a variety of tours that will enhance your visit to the Subic Bay area. We can also provide the reservations for your hotels either in conjunction with our tours or independently. If you are looking for a group activity we can also organize those for you. We are accredited by the SBMA  and the Philippine Department of Tourism as a Tour Operator and as a Travel Agent. We are members of the Greater Subic Bay Tourism Bureau and the Subic Bay Dive Association. The Philippine Commision on Sports Scuba Diving (PCSSD) has accredieded us as a Dive Operator. . We operate with a core full time staff  with additional tour  and operations staff as needed.

Website: www.seahorsetours.com