The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) said the new air balloon fest to be held over the Valentine’s weekend in Tarlac is estimated to draw about 20,000 attendees, boosting the province’s economy.
“We expect, if the weather forbids and gets higher, six or seven thousand [attendees per day],” BCDA Vice President for Investment Promotions and Marketing Erwin Kenneth R. Peralta told reporters on the sidelines of a briefing on Thursday.
The Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta (PIHABF), now in its twenty sixth yr, will happen at Recent Clark City (NCC) in Tarlac on Feb. 13 to fifteen, 2026.
The event will feature 22 special-shaped balloons to be flown by international pilots from the US, the UK, Macedonia, Brazil, Switzerland, Belgium, amongst others.
From its launch in 1994 until 2018, the PIHABF was held in Clark, Pampanga.
“It normally averaged around max of 10,000 per day, that was the historical figure – roughly around 30,000 in three days… Since the 10,000 figure was in Clark, in the middle of Clark,” Mr. Peralta said.
“Hopefully it offsets the space from Clark Freeport Zone to Recent Clark City. The exits that we’ve opened and the roads that we’ve built guarantees everyone has access with automotive, with public transportation,” he added.
The BCDA may even offer free shuttle services in SM City Clark, Clark International Airport, Bamban Cloverleaf, and Capas Municipal Hall from 5:00 AM to 10:30 P.M to draw more participants.
“Transportation was a key factor, that was a giant concern last time. Now, we’re offering free shuttle services,” he said.
“They only have to board, because they can buy the ticket on-site. Some still don’t have tickets because they don’t know purchase online,” he added.
Beyond the festivity, the PIHABF can be seen as a method to assist small businesses within the province.
“The food stalls, the quantity of jobs which are generated for this weekend alone is large…We can have a number of food from Tarlac that you’ll experience and taste. It’s giving jobs to the restaurant owners,” he said.
“There are also hotels in Capas that they may also stay which is nearer in comparison with Clark Freeport Zone. That’s the effect of an event like this,” he added.
The North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) Corporation has warned motorists of heavy traffic through the three-day event scheduled from 6 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
BCDA IN SPORTS TOURISM
Consistent with hosting the country’s longest-running aviation sports event, the BCDA disclosed that it’ll give attention to sports tourism by developing NCC because the sports capital of the Philippines.
“As you possibly can see, our stadium is internationally accredited…We even have an expansion, a partnership with the Philippine Sports Commission for a 20-hectare property for tennis, for multi-sports development in Recent Clark City,” Mr. Peralta said.
“It took us 20 years or more to develop BGC (Bonifacio Global City) so, it’ll be a bit bit longer, but hopefully in my lifetime, our lifetime, we could see the total development of Recent Clark City,” he added.
The BCDA, in partnership with the Department of Tourism (DoT), is about to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in March for sports development initiatives. — Almira Louise S. Martinez