After three days of business-to-consumer sessions, the Philippines’ participation in Asia Dive Expo (ADEX) Singapore—widely recognised as the biggest and longest-running dive expo in Asia—wrapped up as a smashing success, resulting in a total of Php 197,219,062.09 in booked rooms and negotiated sales leads. Compared to the negotiated sales leads from the previous year, this was a more than 3000% increase.
Delegates from the Tourism Promotions Board of the Philippines.
On top of that, the Philippines was also conferred the title of Sustainable diving Destination of the Year for its steadfast dedication to preserving the environment and implementing sustainable practices in the diving tourism industry.
According to Maria Margarita Montemayor Nograles, Chief Operating Officer of the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), the agency’s continued dedication to sustainable tourism practices is highlighted by this achievement, which joins TPB’s extensive list of accolades honoring the Philippines’ natural beauty.
Nograles elaborated that trade shows like ADEX give TPB a chance to showcase the wide variety of tourist attractions and activities available in the Philippines. In the future, she said, TPB would keep collaborating with locals and dive shops to promote responsible diving practices, guaranteeing that the underwater wonders of the Philippines will be accessible to divers of all ages and future generations to come.
Showcasing the Country’s Best Dive Spots
As the event’s official country partner for the third consecutive year, the Philippine pavilion utilised a 90-square-meter booth space to feature some of the country’s finest dive sites such as the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park in Palawan, the famed sardine run of Moalboal in Cebu, the Verde Passage in Mindoro and the marine and natural park of Apo Reef in Mindoro.
Talks about the various diving spots in the Philippines were also held.
Ram Yoro, a world-renowned underwater photographer, cave diving specialist, Filipino scuba instructor, and author of Guide to Anilao, gave a number of talks and participated in panels where he discussed the best of Philippine diving, helping to solidify the Philippines’ position as a top diving destination. Renowned underwater photographers Bo Mancao and Alex Santos, as well as noted sustainability advocates Cat Trivino and Antoinette Taus, were among the other Filipinos who represented the country on several panel stages.
For over a decade, the TPB has been an active participant in ADEX, which has played a major role in keeping Singapore as one of the country’s leading source markets. For more information on TPB, visit www.tpb.gov.ph.
