More Japanese, Korean divers exploring Cebu

CEBU, Philippines - Japanese and Korean divers are now growing in number in different diving destinations in Cebu.

Although Cebu’s diving spots have always been popular for seasoned and leisure scuba enthusiasts, travel specialists have noted a significant increase of divers coming in from Japan and Korea.

Cebu Association of Travel Operators (CATO) president Edilberto Mendoza Jr., said more Japanese and Korean divers are now coming and exploring the different diving destinations within the province and in the Visayas.

Mendoza said the increasing number of Asian scuba enthusiasts in Cebu can be attributed to the  improved air connectivity between Cebu and Japan. Koreans, on the other hand, have long discovered the captivating diving spots in the Visayas including Cebu.           

Although the Japanese and Korean markets are not really new to dive-related itineraries, Mendoza said their number have noticeably increased in the recent months.

"Our diving spots in Cebu like Moalboal and Malapascua are gaining interest from Japanese and Korean tourists," Mendoza said.

Traditionally, these diving destinations were only visited by seasoned and hard core scuba divers from Europe, now more Asian divers like Japanese and Koreans are coming in strong.

Diving enthusiasts from South and North America are also starting to discover Cebu as their alternative destination for diving expeditions, Mendoza added.

Cebu likewise saw the improvement of Chinese divers taking advantage of Cebu's attractive and reasonably priced diving locations within the province.

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 who come to Cebu for diving and other activities, the Chinese have also emerged as another interesting market for "fun-diving" attractions.

Although the top selling products among the growing Chinese market is island-hopping, diving is coming in close second.

"China and Hong Kong are two of the best markets for diving to tap," Tio said adding that top locations for fun diving are Mactan Island, Malapascua, and Moalboal.

Tio however dismissed impressions that diving is one of the overpriced activities in the Philippines. He said in Cebu for instance, diving shops charge between US$60 to US$80 per person for two sessions of 45minute fun-dive.

During the leadership of Department of Tourism (DOT) secretary Ramon Jimenez, the agency mounted a more active stance to promote the Philippines as preferred diving destination in the world, capitalizing on the country's rich marine biodiversity.

DOT aimed at making scuba diving attraction as one of the front liners of the country for its international tourism promotions,

Former DOT secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr., even announced that the Philippines is on the right track to exploit its position being the center of biodiversity, making diving as a major force of tourism in the country.

Despite this potential, revenues from diving makes up only a quarter of the total tourism revenue.  Divers account to not less than five percent of the country’s tourists.

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