Philippines named ‘best diving destination’ at Beijing expo

The Philippines has been hailed for the “Best Diving Destination” award as well as the “Best Tourism Promotion Partnership” award at the Diving Resort Travel Show (DRT) Beijing  2024.

The diving expo was held from August 1 to 4, 2024 in Beijing, China, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

The country’s participation at the expo was led by the Office of the Philippine Department of Tourism in Beijing (PDOT-Beijing), according to the Foreign Affairs Department.

The event was aimed at expediting the development of the diving industry in the Asia Pacific and fostering heightened awareness of marine conservation. 

Philippine Ambassador to China Jaime FlorCruz said dive tourism contributed over P73 billion to the Philippine economy in 2023, twice the revenue generated by the industry in 2022.  

“With this, we are determined to project the Philippines as the ‘World’s Premier Dive  Destination’,” said FlorCruz.  

The DFA said 12 dive shops, resorts, and liveaboards from the Philippines took part in the dive expo in Beijing.

The agency said Ernesto Teston, assistant tourism Attaché of PDOT-Beijing,  presented the top Philippine dive destinations spots during the event, while Sheena Anjeli Botiwey, head of the North Asia Division of the Tourism Promotions Board Philippines, introduced the different diving companies in the Philippines to partner with Chinese clients.—LDF, GMA Integrated News