Bohol eyed to host an int’l dive expo

CEBU, Philippines — Central Visayas bids to host the 2021 Philippine International Dive Expo (Phidex) in Bohol to strengthen the region’s lead as diving destination.

Department of Tourism (DOT-7) regional director Shalimar Tamano announced that Bohol is eyed as the host of next year’s global diving expo, taking into consideration that 60 percent of the country’s scuba diving shop operators come from Central Visayas.

“We have to strengthen our scuba diving strength,” said Tamano, thus his office, together with the stakeholders are pushing to have the largest scuba diving event be held in Bohol.

“We are at the center of diving in the country. We even beat Thailand in scuba diving,” added Tamano.

Among the popular diving destinations in Central Visayas are Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental, Bohol, Malapascua and Moalboal in Cebu; and Siquijor island.

Last year, Philippines was recognized as the world’s leading dive destination at the World Travel Awards (WTA).

The Philippines was picked over Azores Islands, Bora Bora, French Polynesia, Cayman Islands, Fiji, Galapagos Islands, Great Barrier Reef, Australia, Maldives, and Mexico.

The WTA awards are made annually by an international jury of hospitality experts and peers, mainly from the World Travel and Tourism Council.

In 2017, close to half a billion pesos in tourism receipts were earned by the Philippines from scuba divers.

Other famous diving sites in the country include Danjugan Island in Negros Occidental, Southern Leyte, Subic and Batanes.

The country's first international dive expo was launched September 20-22, 2019 at the seaside complex of Conrad Manila luxury hotel in a bid to further position the Philippines as a premier dive hub in Asia.

The second edition of PHIDEX is scheduled in the third quarter of year 2020.