MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines took home the “Island Charm” Award during the recent Diving Resort and Travel Show (DRT) Expo recently held in Beijing from 8-10 August 2025, recognizing the country’s strong presence and exceptional offerings in the diving tourism industry.
The Philippine Department of Tourism (PDOT) office in Beijing, together with the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), mounted a country pavilion at the China National Convention Center, and brought a delegation composed of major airlines, diving suppliers, and resorts across the archipelago, including from emerging diving destinations such as Romblon, Ticao Island and Camiguin.
One of the key highlights of the event was the Philippine Dive Night, bringing together Chinese diving tour operators and agencies, and Philippine resorts and airlines in a business matchmaking session.
During the event, Philippine Ambassador to Beijing Jaime A. FlorCruz invited Chinese divers and tour operators to partner with Philippine organizations to develop sustainable and responsible dive products and experiences, emphasizing the Philippines’ commitment to marine biodiversity conservation and awareness.
“The country remains dedicated to promoting sustainable tourism and fostering strong people-to-people exchanges through partnerships that protect its marine environment,” said Amb. FlorCruz.
The Philippines is uniquely positioned to take advantage of the rapidly expanding Chinese dive tourism market, which is currently the fastest-growing in the world, he added.
According to reports, the growth rate of 35% to 40% annually for newly certified divers shows that this high-value market is increasingly shifting toward experience-based travel.
The Philippines’ impressive showing at the Beijing DRT Expo signals a promising future for its tourism sector.
The DRT Expo is Asia's largest international dive expo, bringing together delegations, exhibitors, and diving professionals from across the globe. It is held in various cities, including Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Taiwan.
Manila will host the next DRT Expo this September.
