New Duty Free outlet to open in Hilton Clark

MANILA, Philippines — Duty Free Philippines (DFP) will put up an outlet at the Hilton in Clark as it continues to boost its presence in major tourism and trade destinations.

In a statement, DFP said it has signed a partnership with Dongwang Clark Corp. (DCC), the Philippine subsidiary of the Sun Valley Group of South Korea, to open a Duty Free outlet at the Hilton Sun Valley Resort inside Clark Freeport Zone.

Under the agreement, DCC will design and construct a 370-square meter outlet to be operated by DFP.

The outlet, which is expected to open in the first quarter of 2020, will be the second DFP store in Pampanga in addition to its outlet at the Clark International Airport.  

“This partnership is part of our ongoing efforts to accelerate DFP’s presence in major tourism and economic destinations to tap the increasing number of foreign tourists and expatriates in the country,” said DFP chief operating officer Vicente Angala said.

“We strategically chose the location at an integrated tourism estate that includes condo units and commercial spaces,” Angala added. 

The DFP outlet at Hilton Clark will highlight Filipino export-quality products through Go Lokal! kiosks, and regular tax-exempt items such as perfumes and cosmetics, health and beauty, fashion, confectioneries, liquor and tobacco.  

DCC has committed to supporting the business operations of DFP through advertising and marketing efforts and gift certificates as giveaways to their hotel and casino guests.

Moreover, Angala said DFP would also work on partnerships with the organizers of international events hosted in Clark. 

Santos Knight Frank senior director for research and consultancy Jan Custodio earlier said Clark is slowly becoming a destination for the meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) sector.