The Department of Tourism (DOT), led by Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, formally opened the Diving, Resort, Travel (DRT) Show Philippines 2025 recently at the SMX Convention Center Manila, celebrating the country’s top-tier marine biodiversity, global accolades, and growing dive tourism sector that contributed ₱70 billion to the economy in 2023 alone.
“Dive tourism has proven to be a strong economic driver again and again, bringing in over ₱70 billion to our economy in 2023, underscoring how a healthy ocean economy uplifts communities, creates jobs, and ensures inclusive growth for our destinations,” said Frasco, who is a certified diver herself.
“A healthy ocean economy uplifts communities, creates jobs, and ensures inclusive growth for our destinations.”
The tourism chief emphasized that the Philippines continues to shine on the world stage, being named the World’s Leading Dive Destination by the World Travel Awards for six consecutive years since 2019, alongside recognitions from Scuba Diving Magazine and other international institutions.
The tourism head also highlighted the DOT’s wide-ranging efforts to strengthen dive tourism, from the Philippine Dive Congress in Cebu, the Philippine Dive Experience, the Philippine International Dive Expo (PHIDEX), and the Dive Travel Exchange to global promotions and technical assessments of emerging dive sites.
She noted that the DRT Show has been instrumental in sustaining this momentum, adding that last year’s edition proved the strength of the local dive community, and this year welcomes an even broader global participation.
“The Philippine dive story is one of collaboration from the industry, from government, academia, communities, all working hand in hand.”
“As we open the DRT Show Philippines, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all of the organizers, the tourism promotions board, our regional offices of the DOT, our exhibitors, partners, and all of you who have collectively brought Philippine dive tourism to greater heights, for the Philippine dive story is one of collaboration from the industry, from government, academia, communities, all working hand in hand,” Frasco said.
Meanwhile, DRT Show President Jason Chong commended the Philippines’ world-class dive sites—from Tubbataha to Anilao, Cebu, Malapascua, Moalboal, and Apo Reef—while affirming the event’s commitment to conservation and sustainability.
The opening ceremony gathered DOT and attached agency officials, including Undersecretaries Shahlimar Hofer Tamano, Verna Buensuceso, and Ferdinand Jumapao; Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Chief Operating Officer Margarita Montemayor Nograles, Assistant Secretaries Judilyn Quiachon and Ronald Conopio; Director Paulo Benito Tugbang; DOT Regional Directors; Philippine Commission on Sports Scuba Diving (PCSSD) Executive Director Marco Angelo Ancheta; along with dive enthusiasts, photographers, exhibitors, and representatives from the private sector and academe.
DRT Show Philippines 2025 was held at the Hall 5 of SMX Convention Center Manila.
