2009 Clark, Philippines Hot Air Balloon Festival / Air Show to Play Host to 25 Countries

According to the Tourism and Promotions Office of the Clark Development Corporation (CDC), 2009 will see even more balloons and countries participating in the annual Hot Air Balloon Festival than in 2008. At this point, it looks as if 25 countries will be joining this event, which seems to be growing by leaps and bounds each year and becoming more like a major air show than a hot air balloon event.

In 2008, only 19 balloons were flown from 13 countries; with the increased publicity of this event worldwide and on the internet, and the growing popularity of the event with Filipinos, Clark could have significantly more balloons than ever in the air this year. The scheduled date is set for February 12 to 15 th of 2009. The organizers are in the beginning phases of planning for this Philippines mega event, we will post the schedule here when it is available.

For 2009, well over 100,000 spectators are expected to attend five days of fun in the skies, or as CDC refers to it: “the weekend of everything that flies.” This event is currently scheduled to be held in its usual location where the large hanger is visible from the main entrance road, designated as the Clark Civil Aviation Complex, right alongside the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport.

The associated events, as last year, are sure to be additionally inspiring. CDC seems to want to grow this event to ever-increasing heights of excellence. You can be sure that the show will be bigger and better than ever for 2009, bringing greater levels of exposure to the Freeport in order to further promote business and leisure investment in the area.

The CDC is looking to grow the Clark region, not only internationally, but as a major Filipino destination of tourism and relaxation. For this event and all subsequent events in Clark, the area will become even more easily assessable from Manila. With the completion of the SCTEX this year, and the soon completion of the new SCTEX Clark Interchange in December, you will be able to exit directly into the Freeport from the highways, only a couple Kilometers from the entrance of the balloon festival. If you have attended the Balloon Fiesta in previous years or have been to the Clark Freeport, you know that the last few kilometers are the most frustrating as you exit NLEX to pass through the intense traffic in Dau and Angeles City to the Clark Main gate; sometimes taking as long as an additional 30 minutes. That will soon be a thing of the past and make the balloon festival and Clark in general, an even more pleasant destination.

This years balloon festival is lining-up to be the greatest ever, and it will be easier to attend then ever before. So, if you have never been to this mega event, or if you wait anxiously each year to see the myriad of balloons and other demonstration aircraft and exhibits, then make your advanced hotel reservation plans now as the Freeport is sure to become booked-out very quickly and in advance for this event.