THE PHILIPPINES bagged a win after receiving an ‘Island Charm’ award at the Beijing Dive Expo.  

From August 8 to 10, the Philippines was recognized for its unique appeal to tourists, leading the country to be discovered as a top global diving hub at the Diving Resort and Travel (DRT) Expo held in Beijing.   

DRT Expo is known as Asia’s largest international dive exhibition that is annually staged in cities including Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Taipei. 

With the direction of the Department of Tourism-Beijing and the Tourism Promotions Board, the country showcased its top-notch marine attractions at the China National Convention Center. 

These featured the major airlines, dive shops, and resorts.  

Philippine Ambassador to China Jaime FlorCruz said that the country’s presence at the expo highlights its dual commitment to promoting tourism and safeguarding the marine environment. 

He said that the Philippines has remained dedicated to promoting sustainable tourism while fostering strong people-to-people exchanges through partnerships that aim to protect its marine environment. 

According to industry reports, China currently holds the rank as the fastest-growing dive market, along with the newly certified divers that rose by 35 to 40% every year.  

The shift toward high-value, experience-based travel makes the Philippines’ marine biodiversity and sites appealing to Chinese divers. 

A year ago, the Philippines had also received an award by bagging the title as the best diving destination award at DRT expo.  

This September, Manila is set to host the next leg.