Phl is Most Popular Diving Destination

MANILA — Organizers of one of the biggest international dive events in the world, the Dive Resort Travel (DRT) Show, has recognized the Philippines as the "The Most Popular Diving Destination” this year.

Department of Tourism (DOT) Market Development Group chief tourism operations officer Glen Agustin on Friday shared the news via social media, posting a photo of a plaque as proof of recognition.

DOT is among the participants of the Taiwan edition of the DRT Show which will run from June 17 to 19.

To recall, the DRT Show was first held in the Philippines last September 2015 with the intention to improve the image of the country as a diving destination and a center of marine diversity.

At least 2,000 international dive exhibitors, dive enthusiasts, and marine conversationalists participated in the event featured a travel exchange, seminars and workshops, a photo gallery, familiarization tours, and other special events.

DOT Undersecretary Benito Bengzon Jr., in an earlier interview, said that leisure divers make up about five percent of total foreign tourists visiting the Philippines.

Bengzon said that although DOT and its attached agencies have yet to come up with an accurate figure, the five percent estimate is based on records derived from arrival and departure cards, dive shops, and overseas offices.

Data from the DOT showed that the top five leisure dive markets in 2012 include Korea, US, Germany, Australia, Hong Kong. Completing the top markets are United Kingdom, Singapore, Canada, Japan, and Taiwan.

It also showed that there were more foreign tourists coming in as dive beginners compared to tourists coming in as underwater photographers.

The DRT is organized by the Hong Kong and Shanghai-based LX Development Group (LXDG). —