Sunday, August 18, 2024 The Philippines has made waves in the global diving scene, clinching the prestigious title of “Best Diving Destination” at the Diving Resort Travel Show (DRT) Beijing 2024. Led by the Philippine Department of Tourism’s (DOT) Beijing office, the country’s participation underscored its thriving dive tourism industry. Ambassador Jaime FlorCruz emphasized the sector’s substantial contribution to the Philippine economy, with revenues doubling in 2023 to surpass P73 billion.
This remarkable growth has solidified the Philippines’ position as a global dive tourism leader. With this achievement, the country aims to solidify its status as the “World’s Premier Dive Destination.” A delegation of 12 Filipino dive shops, resorts, and liveaboards showcased the Philippines’ diverse underwater wonders at the expo.
Ernesto Teston, Assistant Tourism Attaché, captivated the audience with presentations on the country’s premier dive spots, while Sheena Anjeli Botiwey, head of the Tourism Promotions Board’s North Asia Division, actively forged partnerships between Filipino dive companies and Chinese clients. Beyond the coveted “Best Diving Destination” award, the Philippines also garnered recognition for its exceptional tourism promotion efforts, winning the “Best Tourism Promotion Partnership” award at the expo..