Diving sites place RP in world’s top 3

First posted 04:07am (Mla time) April 18, 2006
Inquirer



Editor's Note: Published on page A1 of the Apr. 18, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer


DIVE SPOTS in the Philippines were again given international recognition as among the world’s best at the recent 2006 Marine Diving Fair (MDF) in Tokyo, according to the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA).

PTA General Manager Robert Dean Barbers said that although the country placed third, after Maldives and Palau, it was ahead of Thailand, Hawaii, and the South Pacific and Caribbean islands, all of which boast well-known dive sites.

“We’re very, very fortunate to be given recognition and honor,” said Barbers, who received the award in behalf of the country during rites at the MDF exhibition area in Tokyo’s Ikebukuro district on April 7.

Among the Philippine dive sites exhibited at the MDF were the Tubbattaha Reef in the Sulu Sea, which is famous for its variety and density of marine life; Malapascua in Cebu, known for its rare sharks, and Puerto Galera in Oriental Mindoro, noted for its colorful corals, strong currents and big fish.

Also featured were Balicasag Island in Bohol, Anilao in Batangas, the popular Apo Island in Negros Oriental, and the islands of Palawan.

The awards given at the fair were the result of a survey conducted by the MDF organizers, the PTA said in a statement.

Asia’s biggest diving fair

The MDF is considered Asia’s largest scuba diving and beach resort exhibition. It attracts close to 50,000 visitors.

The annual event provides a unique opportunity for exhibitors to target consumers and those from the travel and tourism industry. This year, 144 exhibitors representing 24 countries participated in the fair.

“The tourism market of the world’s diving industry is very big,” Barbers said. “Having been named among the world’s best dive sites could jump-start our moves to further develop dive resorts around the country.”

Exploring even a third of the country’s more than 7,000 islands “as potential dive sites would surely be a welcome development in our tourism industry,” he said.

Environmental awareness

Barbers, a former chair of the Philippine Commission on Sports Scuba Diving, said he hoped the award would not only encourage further investments in dive sites but also create environmental awareness to protect marine life.

The Marine Art Center in Japan, which organized the MDF, places the number of Japanese divers at one million.

Barbers said the government’s drive to bring in more foreign tourists would translate to more jobs and more investments in the tourism industry.

The participation of the Philippines in the MDF was part of the year-long series of events celebrating the 50th anniversary of Filipino-Japanese diplomatic relations. Jerome Aning

Good News! We had one of the best beaches in the world! We need to protect those beaches from destruction and pollution

See this sample of beaches!


Sta. Fe, Bantayan Island, Cebu














Courtesy of Photos posted by Sugbuanon
from Skycraper City Forum

man i miss the philippine beaches.

We had the best beaches in the world!

yez, best beaches

Here are some pictures about dving in the Philippines (taken by Tommy Schultz, a peace corps volunteer assigned in the country)

http://www.tommyschultz.com/phils_photos.html

http://www.tommyschultz.com/underwater_photos.html

http://www.tommyschultz.com/undrwtr-04-05.html


And the "secret beach" of El Nido, Palawan bas been discovered.. LoL

http://www.tommyschultz.com/el-nido-is-hop-feb05.html

secret beach of el nido? i thought el nido is like really popular.