ILOILO City – The Department of Tourism (DOT) is currently mapping diving sites in Region 6.
Developing the Western Visayas Dive Circuit is among its priorities this year.
Regional Director Crisanta Marlene Rodriguez said Tuesday there were established dive sites in the region already. She cited Boracay Island as an example.
There are also dive sites in the provinces of Guimaras and Antique where there are marine protected areas (MPAs).
“It’s very strategic for Region 6 considering that Cebu is number one. We have been getting feedbacks from travel fairs abroad that divers are actually asking what other sites in the country they can go,” she said.
The region’s proximity to regions 7 (Central Visayas) and 8 (Eastern Visayas) is a plus, she said, since their tourist overspill can proceed to Western Visayas.
On Jan. 30, Antipara Exploration Inc. tapped by the DOT for the inventory, will start profiling of dive sites, do underwater mapping, assessment, and analysis of coastal and marine habitats.
Among those to be covered by the inventory are dive sites in Negros Occidental, Guimaras, Iloilo, Aklan, and Antique.
The dive site in the town of Anini-y, Antique will also be reassessed if still can be promoted as a destination.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has already given DOT the list that can be promoted for diving.
“We hope that by March will be finished and we’ll be ready to market them after that,” she added. (PNA)/PN
