The Philippines’ participation in Asia Dive Expo (ADEX) Singapore, known as Asia’s largest and longest-running dive expo, generated P197.2 million in combined negotiated sales leads and actual bookings during a three-day business-to-consumer session.
This marked a more than 300-percent increase from last year’s negotiated sales leads.
The Philippines was also named the Sustainable Dive Destination of the Year in recognition of its commitment to environmental conservation and sustainable practices in dive tourism.
“This recognition, alongside our long list of accolades celebrating the beauty of our nation, underscores our steadfast commitment to sustainable tourism practices,” said Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) chief operating officer Maria Margarita Montemayor Nograles.
“Participation in trade fairs like ADEX provides us a platform to promote the Philippines’ diverse tourism products and experiences. Moving forward, we will continue to work hand in hand with local communities and dive operators to ensure sustainable practices are followed so that our country’s treasures will still be enjoyed by future generations in the years to come,” Nograles said.
The Philippine pavilion utilized 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 and the marine and natural park of Apo Reef in Mindoro.
The Philippine delegation, led by the TPB, was composed of 16 exhibitors from the dive industry, accommodation and tour operators.