THE Philippines is shaping up to be a major diving destination, according to sellers during the country’s first international Diving & Resort Travel (DRT) Expo.
Olivier Martinez, marketing director of Asiaqua, which owns a fleet of 12 dive ships, said their packages to the Tubbataha Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are already 85 per cent booked six months ahead.
Lauren Feather of international sales, Atmosphere Resorts & Spa in Dauin, Negros Oriental, observes growing interest in the Philippines in the US and other international dive shows. “The Philippines is the next big thing in diving,” she opined.
Christian Reinwald, owner of Easy Diving & Beach Resort in Sipalay, Negros Occidental, said the dive market is “alright” with 95 per cent of their European clients spending two to three weeks on diving safaris.
Asians, too, are being drawn due to proximity of the Philippines. Brisk demand from South Korean and Chinese divers has driven the Sea World Dive Centre in Boracay to expand and upgrade its facilities, said Hye Kyoung Jung, Professional Association of Diving Instructors course director at the centre.
Jung also acknowledges that the Philippine Department of Tourism did a good job in marketing and promoting diving in Philippines in recent years, adding that the special department for diving interests had managed to clinch the deal with Hong Kong-based LX Development Group to launch the DRT Expo in the Philippines.
