The Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) participated at the Diving Equipment and Marketing Association (DEMA) Dive Show, the only international trade-only event for the diving, action water sports and adventure travel industries held at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada from October 22 – 25, 2008.
The Philippine participation highlighted the qualities of the Philippines as one of the most exciting and top value dive destinations in the world. Ms. Lynn Funkhouser, an internationally-published photographer, author, and a leader in dive travel, detailed the rich biodiversity of Philippine seas in a seminar she conducted during the Show. She said that the Philippines being a part of the Coral Triangle, a magnificent region in the world that covers more than one-third of the world's coral reefs and holds nearly 75 percent of all known coral species, makes it a must destination for any diving enthusiast. Indeed with 2500 species of fish compared to Australia's 1500 and Hawaii's 460; and 720 species of corals compared to the Great Barrier Reef's 350 and Hawaii's 40, the Philippines is definitely a place where a diver can discover the most diverse marine life.
Being one of the countries exhibiting in the prestigious event participated in by 703 exhibitors from around the world, the Philippines maximized its exposure to the lucrative North American dive market. The strength of the Philippine participation was anchored on the strong presence of the North American DOT offices and the US and Philippine-based dive sellers who worked hand in hand to ensure that Philippine diving makes an impact in the DEMA Show.
The Philippine delegation, headed by the Head of Team North America, Ma. Corazon Jorda-Apo and North America Tourism Directors Annie Cuevas, Rene De Los Santos, Vernie Morales and Emma Ruth Yulo, was joined by Philippine dive resort owners and representatives, as well as dive tour operators and live-aboard dive boat operators.
The Philippine-based dive tour operators and dive resorts that participated include Access Marine Corporation, Atlantis Dive Resort, Bahura Resort/Scuba World, Balicasag Dive Resort, El Galleon Dive Resort with Asia Divers, El Nido Resorts, Eureka Dive Inc., Kasai Village Beach Resort, Marco Vincent Dive Center, Pacifico Azul Resort/Pacific Blue Dive Center, and Sea Explorers Philippines. The US-based dive tour operators that joined the Philippine delegation were Activentures, Airbound Travel, Great Destinations, Scuba Travel Ventures, and Ultimate Dive Travel.
All sellers in the Philippine booth reported that they were able to generate sales leads either as pure leads or actual bookings. A majority of the dive operators/wholesalers, dive shop owners and dive instructors/masters who dropped by the Philippine Booth and answered a survey, a majority indicated that the Philippines is an "interesting" dive destination and are actually interested in selling Philippine dive packages. Almost half responded favorably and said that they will bring dive groups in the Philippines in the next 6 to 12 months.
For the divers who visited the booth and answered a related survey about Philippine diving, almost 70 percent said that the three most important qualities that they look for in a dive destination are value-for-money, variety of dive sites and a diversity of marine flora and fauna, qualities they believe they can find in Philippine diving.
For more information on diving, please log on at http://www.experiencephilippines.ph
