Dive tourism contributed at least PHP73 billion to the country’s coffers in 2023, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said Friday.

Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco shared the figures during the opening of the three-day Philippine International Dive Expo (PHIDEX) 2024 at World Trade Center in Pasay City, where she made a commitment to sustain the dive tourism’s development and promotions.

“As one of the megabiodiverse countries in the world, we are home to more than 500 species of corals and 2,000 species of fish. Therefore, this distinction for the Philippines we take to heart with a firm commitment to ensure not just the marketability, but more importantly, the sustainability of our dive industry,” she said.

Frasco said the 2023 revenue is almost twice the PHP37 billion generated in 2022.

“United under the guidance and visionary leadership of our President, we can look forward to yielding additional revenue from this industry, reinforcing the Philippine position as the World’s Premier Dive Destination and tourism’s role,” she said.

The Philippines has been expanding its dive tourism offerings to emerging and lesser-known destinations, bringing the total to approximately 120 dive destinations across the Philippines today.

In the same event, Frasco announced the provision of five additional hyperbaric chambers in Boracay Island, Camiguin, Daanbantayan in Cebu, Dumaguete, and Puerto Galera.

A hyperbaric chamber treats scuba and deep-sea divers affected by the rapid change in pressure.

For three days, PHIDEX 2024 will offer expansive networking prospects for dive decision-makers, communities, and individuals through value-added components, including the Dive Travel Exchange business-to-business meetings, conference and exhibit featuring the country’s best dive offerings. (PNA)