The Philippines was awarded as the Best Dive Destination during the Diving, Resort, and Travel (DRT) show in Malaysia last week
The country bested four other countries (Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan, and Maldives) at the largest diving expo in Asia which provides industry stakeholders greater support and encourages more people to become passionate divers to champion marine ecology.
“The recent back-to-back wins for the Philippines highlight the beauty and the blessings our country has been endowed with, and we take great inspiration from our diving communities and dive stakeholders as we continue the collaborative work of ensuring not only the marketability but also the sustainability of our destinations,” Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said.
To note, the Philippines was awarded World’s Leading Dive Destination in 2022 and is also defending its title this year as Asia’s Leading Dive Destination at the prestigious World Travel Awards (WTA). The title has been held by the country for four straight years from 2019 to 2022.
The tourism chief said the DOT will continue its efforts to develop and promote the Philippines as an ideal destination for all travelers, with the aim to enhance the tourist experience, strengthen and transform the tourism industry from the ground up, and with President Marcos, Jr. reiterating the important role of tourism in the country’s economic development post-pandemic.
Meanwhile, The Philippines’ co-exhibitors during the expo included Lalaguna Villas Luxury Dive Resort & Spa (Puerto Galera), Fisheye Divers (Boracay), Dolphinlee Aquatic (Malaysia-based dive agent), Moby Tek Dive (Malaysia-based dive agent), Kokay’s Maldito Dive Resort (Malapascua), Scandi Divers (Puerto Galera), and the country’s flag-carrier Philippine Airlines.
Also last week, Frasco said that the Philippines and two of its leading destinations, Intramuros and Cebu, have been nominated for major awards under the Asia category of the 30th World Travel Awards (WTA).
The Philippines is once again in the running as Asia’s Leading Beach Destination at the 2023 edition of the WTA, after winning in the same category during the 2022 WTA awarding held September last year in Vietnam.
“We are extremely elated upon receiving the news on these nominations at the landmark 30th anniversary of the World Travel Awards. These recurring nominations clearly manifest the growing global travel demand into the Philippines, one that we aim to sustain in the coming days through the initiatives we have laid out for the tourism industry’s recovery and transformation post pandemic,” Secretary Frasco said.
Cebu is nominated as Asia’s Leading Wedding Destination, and meanwhile, after winning as Asia’s Leading Tourist Attraction at last year’s WTA, the Walled City of Intramuros is once again nominated for the same award category.
The DOT is likewise nominated as Asia’s Leading Tourism Board at the 2023 WTA.
Open to travel professionals, media, and tourism consumers, voting for the 2023 WTA’s various categories (including Asia) officially opened on 20 February 2023 and will be open until midnight of 19 March 2023.
“I invite my fellow Filipinos as well as our foreign friends to show some love and help keep the travel momentum for the Philippines. Sign up and cast your votes now,” Secretary Frasco enthused.
Register and cast your votes for the Philippines, Cebu, Intramuros, and the DOT at the 2023 WTA here: https://www.worldtravelawards.com/vote
