Underwater photography eyed to lure more tourists

CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Tourism (DOT) is now working on promoting underwater photography to highlight the Philippines’ underwater treasure and attract underwater photo hobbyists from all over the world.

DOT undersecretary Benito ‘Bong’ Bengzon said that promoting underwater photography can be a potential niche market for this archipelagic country aside from the already well-known scuba diving spots here.

This will be part of DOT's extensive program in providing a wide array of marine-based activities for tourists, not just the traditional scuba diving, snorkeling, and island hopping, among others.

While the Philippines has already made its prominence in the scuba diving routes in the world, Bengzon said there is also a growing number of underwater photographers, whose works have strong influence, but who have not yet explored the picturesque underwater world in the Philippines.

The Philippines is to scuba divers what Switzerland is to skiers, Hawaii to surfers and Nepal to mountaineers. This is one of the marketing propositions that the elite underwater photographers should discover.

The country is a veritable smorgasbord of world-class dive sites set in a lush tropical environment with all the trappings one could ever wish for, this advantage should be captured in both still photography, as well as videos in order for the rest of the world to know.

Based on DOT's account, the warm waters surrounding the Philippines' 7,107 islands present an underwater wildlife extravaganza, so spectacular that divers return for an average of 10 trips each.

According to Bengzon, Cebu can tap this niche, as influential underwater photography enthusiasts can easily be fell in love with the urban island feel.

Network of Independent Travel Agents (NITAS-Cebu) president Ricky Tio, who owns Holiday Tours and Travel, said that aside from the sustained bookings from different countries like North Americans and Europeans who come to Cebu for scuba diving and other activities, Chinese have also emerged as interesting market especially for ‘fun-diving’ and other marine-based attractions.

According to the national tourism plan, diving is identified as one of the top in demand tourism activities in both local and foreign tourists.

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