Philippines named best diving destination at Beijing expo

The Philippines has once again solidified its status as a world-class diving haven, clinching the coveted Best Diving Destination award at the 2024 Diving Resort Travel (DRT) Show in Beijing. The country also bagged the Best Tourism Promotion Partnership Award during the prestigious event held from August 1 to 4.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced the double victory on Thursday, highlighting the Philippines’ growing reputation as a premier dive spot. The DRT Show, recognized as the largest and most influential dive exhibition platform in the region, attracts hundreds of thousands of industry professionals and enthusiasts annually.

Philippine Ambassador to China Jaime FlorCruz expressed the government’s commitment to positioning the Philippines as the world's top diving destination, emphasizing the significant revenue potential of this niche tourism sector. Dive tourism contributed a substantial PHP73 billion to the Philippine economy in 2023 alone, a remarkable twofold increase from the previous year.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) office in Beijing spearheaded the country’s participation in the DRT Show, joined by a delegation of 12 Philippine-based dive shops, resorts, and liveaboards. Dive tourism is a key component of the government’s strategy to develop specialized tourism segments.

To further enhance dive safety and accessibility, the DOT has unveiled plans to establish five additional hyperbaric chambers in key dive destinations, including Puerto Galera, Boracay, Cebu, Negros Oriental, and Camiguin. These new facilities will complement the existing 15 hyperbaric chambers nationwide.

The Philippine Commission on Sports Scuba Diving has already certified and audited over 120 dive destinations across the country, underscoring the Philippines’ abundant underwater treasures.