THE Department of Tourism (DOT) said diving was a successful income-generating industry for Philippine tourism, having contributed over P73 billion to the economy in 2023.
During the opening of the Philippine International Dive Expo (PHIDEX) 2024 on Saturday, Feb. 24, Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco added that the income generated by the dive industry last year was almost double the P37 billion generated in 2022.
“United under the guidance and visionary leadership of our President, we can look forward to yielding additional revenue from this industry, reinforcing the Philippine position as the world’s premier dive destination, and tourism’s role as now one of the strongest pillars of our economy, providing livelihood and employment for millions of Filipinos,” said Frasco.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had previously vowed to continue establishing the country as a hotspot for marine biodiversity, as every dive taken and reef explored was a chance ”to deepen our connection with our environment and reaffirm our duty to its preservation.”
Marcos also said that the government was working on showcasing new dive destinations and inviting potential investors to expand the country’s dive tourism sector.
According to the DOT, the World Travel Awards (WTA) named the Philippines the World’s Leading Dive Destination for five straight years since 2019.
“This distinction for the Philippines, we take to heart with a firm commitment to ensure not just the marketability, but more importantly, the sustainability of our dive industry,” said Frasco.
The PHIDEX 2024, organized by the DOT, was a three-day gathering that caters to the country’s diving community. It opened at the World Trade Center Manila on Feb. 23 and ran until Feb. 25. (GMA Integrated News)
