The Philippine Dive Experience, an inaugural program of the Department of Tourism (DOT), officially kicked off with a ceremonial banging of air tanks at the world-renowned dive destination and the hub for the center of the center of marine biodiversity in the world, Brgy. Anilao in Mabini, Batangas.
Spearheaded by Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, the Philippine Dive Experience showcases the Philippines’ unparalleled underwater landscapes and promotes sustainable diving practices that benefit local communities while safeguarding the nation’s natural marine heritage.
“At the heart of the Philippine Dive Experience is our President’s vision of transformation for tourism.”
“At the heart of the Philippine Dive Experience is our President’s vision of transformation for tourism. We’re not interested in recovering only what was lost, but rather in transcending to the rightful place that the Philippines deserves in the global community of tourism nations. A country that prioritizes the sustainability of its destination and the regeneration of its resources while it seeks to reintroduce itself to the world from the strength of its identity, heritage, and culture,” Garcia said.
Furthermore, the event highlighted cultural exchange, with Bangladesh Ambassador to the Philippines Borhan Uddin, Indian Ambassador to the Philippines Harsh Kumar Jain, South Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Sang Hwa, Lao-PDR Ambassador to the Philippines Sonexay Vannaxay, Malaysian Ambassador to the Philippines Malik Melvin, New Zealand Ambassador to the Philippines Catherine McIntosh, Sri Lanka Ambassador to the Philippines Chanaka Talpahewa, Thailand Ambassador to the Philippines Tull Traisorat, Vietnam Ambassador to the Philippines Lai Binh, as well as diplomatic and consular corps from Cambodia, China, France, Indonesia, and the United States of America, along with key tourism stakeholders, who were invited to explore the country’s rich dive portfolio and underscored the commitment to marine conservation, sustainable tourism, and environmental protection.
“We will share to the world the beauty of our dive destinations and to ensure the treasures of our seas remain a source of pride and prosperity for generations to come.”
“To our esteemed friends from the diplomatic community, our partners, all the delegates and participants, we invite you to become ambassadors for Philippine diving. Together, we will share to the world the beauty of our dive destinations and to ensure the treasures of our seas remain a source of pride and prosperity for generations to come,” the tourism chief said.
Even those with no swimming experience found themselves exploring a new world during the Discover Scuba Diving sessions at the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) as part of the Philippine Dive Experience held in Anilao, Mabini, Batangas.
Held in the safety of a diving pool, PhiDex delegates were taught the basics of scuba diving and how to operate dive equipment under the careful guidance of seasoned dive masters from Batangas.
The activity provided a safe and immersive introduction to scuba diving, sparking a newfound appreciation for dive tourism, one of the strongest products of Philippine tourism.
