The Philippines generated over PHP80 million in sales leads during the 2026 Paris Dive Show (Salon de la Plongée Sous-Marine) in France last January, the Department of Tourism (DOT) reported Wednesday.
The DOT said this year’s sales rose 43 percent compared to the PHP56 million sales leads Manila secured last year.
During the travel trade show, the Philippine delegation showcased iconic dive sites in the country such as Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, Bohol, Anilao, Cebu, Puerto Galera, Dumaguete, Ticao Island and Southern Leyte.
The 2026 Paris Dive Show, held at the Parc des Expositions from Jan. 8 to 11, gathered diverse array of diving industry professionals, including associations, boats, diving centers, insurance providers, manufacturers, distributors, media, tourism offices, training organizations, dive operators and travel agents.
The Philippine pavilion featured immersive underwater photography panels from 12 DOT-accredited dive establishments to put spotlight on the Philippines’ rich marine biodiversity, sustainability initiatives, and conservation-driven tourism programs.
Southern Leyte’s Sogod Bay Dive Sites took centerstage as the Pavilion’s Featured Destination, showcasing Eastern Visayas’ growing profile as a conservation-oriented dive tourism hub.
According to the Philippine Embassy in Paris, there is an estimated 350,000 scuba divers in France in 2024, 10 percent of whom travel abroad for diving with tour operators.
The DOT said this year’s Paris Dive Show served as an ideal platform to highlight the Philippines’ marine tourism offerings to the European market, especially as the summer season approaches.
In 2025, the country secured its seventh consecutive title as the World’s Leading Dive Destination at the World Travel Awards (WTA), prevailing over 12 global contenders. (PNA)
