Benedict Maravilla

The Department of Tourism (DOT) has now ‘intensified’ its promotion of the diving industry in the country after it logged a 74-billion peso revenue in 2023.

Photo Courtesy of Department of Tourism.

DOT Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco said during the launch of the first ‘Philippine Dive Experience’ on Nov. 28 that the agency seeks to further elevate the dive tourism experience and boost the economy in the country through the program.

“Napakalaki ng contribution ng diving sa ating ekonomiya. Just on a computation on its direct impact on our total visitor receipts in our country. It contributes no less than 74 billion pesos and that shows us the massive potential that dive tourism can further have,” Frasco said.

She said that the promotion of dive tourism in the country aims to maintain its title for the sixth year as the “World’s Leading Dive Destination” given by the World Travel Awards.

“Fully the intention to further promote dive tourism all over the world especially to our top source markets as well as our opportunity markets. We are also aiming for diversification to be well known in the world as a destination that can offer outstanding dive destinations,” the secretary added.

Frasco also noted that the efforts of the tourism office in boosting the diving industry will provide livelihood and employment opportunities among the Filipinos.

“We greatly appreciate all the touristic activities that are happening within the country, but at the same time we would like to emphasize the necessity of sustaining these destinations and ensuring that the livelihoods that depend on this industry can continue,” she said.

Frasco added their promotion of diving will not only focus on the tourism aspect, but also on its sustainability.

“We are pushing for the sustainability of [diving] by ensuring that the experience has a conservation component, a coastal cleanup, and also an education component,” she said.