Dive tourists in RP up by 62.8% in Q1

CEBU, Philippines - As the Department of Tourism (DOT) aggressively pushes “Dive Tourism” in some areas in the Philippines, the number of dive tourists in the Philippines grew by 62.8 percent in the first quarter of 2009.

A record from the DOT planning and promotion office revealed that Cebu, Bohol, Palawan, Mindoro Oriental and Batangas are the identified favorite diving destinations especially for foreign tourists.

German dive enthusiasts visiting these diving destinations posted 131 percent increase while the Korean dive tourists went up by 104 percent, American 37 percent, Japanese 34 percent and Chinese 31 percent.

Over-all gross receipts from dive tourism in these destinations posted an upsurge of 52.8 percent to P31 million compared to P20.2 it generated in the first quarter of 2008.

The record showed that substantial growth of 82 percent was recorded during the first quarter of 2009. Revenue generated by dive operations in Bohol went up by 195 percent, while those in Cebu increased by 69 percent.

During 17th Marine Diving Fair in Tokyo, the Philippine DOT Pavilion attracted more than 20,000 visitors and garnered awards for Best Diving Area, Most Desirable Destination, Best Dive Resort and Favorite Dive Operators for the country and participating dive operators.

The DOT also continued to draw dive tourists in its annual participation in the Golden Dolphin Fair in Moscow which attracted over 23,000 visitors from all the regions of Russia and overseas.

Earlier, DOT secretary Joseph Ace Durano urged the local government units (LGUs), as well as diving shops operators in the Philippines, to put premium rates on diving fees, as this kind of potential tourist-drawer product has been under-valued.

Durano said that as far as Scuba Diving is concerned the Philippines ranks high among interest of Scuba diving enthusiasts all over the world, thus there is a need for LGUs to put premium on pricing in charging scuba diving activities in their localities.

“We can afford to put premium on pricing,” Durano said emphasizing that in his visits in the top diving spots in the country, he has been urging LGUs, as well as Scuba Diving operators to charge high in fees, so that LGU can sustain the maintenance and protection of the marine resources.

In Malapascua Islet alone in Cebu, which is one of the top 10 best diving spots in the Philippines, is only charging P100 per dive, P30 of this will go to barangay Logon the lone barangay on the Islet, and the P70 will go to the government of Bantayan Island.

Not only in Malapascua, but also in other eco-tourism destinations in the Philippines, wherein charging fees for eco-tourism activities aside from Scuba Diving, such as snorkling, whale shark interaction like in Donsol, Sorsogon, among others are also charging very cheap rates.

Durano mentioned that in Australia, in order for people to see a whale-shark or any marine life contained in a aquarium is charging at least $40 per person, which is around P1,800 in Philippine peso (P46 base exchange).

For Scuba Diving, which is one of the most expensive hobbies, Durano said people from all over the world are willing to spend, just to have the best experience under water.

LGUs that are host of a diving spot destination, should formulate a good price points, in order to get good revenue in this kind of activity to operate a sustainable coastal and marine protection program.

Central Visayas region there are four top diving spots known in the world, these are the Malapascua Islet, Moalboal, Balicasag Island (Bohol), and Apo Island (Negros).

Since Scuba Diving is a hobby which is mostly indulged in by well-to-do market, Durano said this is one of the few tourism products in the country that is considered as “recession proof”.