With diverse dive spots, friendly hospitality, and world-class scuba diving infrastructure, the Philippines is one of the top dive destinations in the world. It’s no surprise that for 2024, the country has been named “World’s Leading Dive Destination” by the London-based organization World Travel Awards (WTA), having won the prestigious title for six consecutive years.
The Philippines as the “World’s Leading Dive Destination” for 2024
The country has been awarded the “World’s Leading Dive Destination” for 2024 by the WTA, which recognizes, celebrates, and rewards the world’s best in travel, tourism, and hospitality. Established in 1993, the London-based organization has continued to recognize and award the success of these industries on a global scale.
In an awarding ceremony held in Madeira, Portugal, on November 24, they gave the Philippines seven awards, with the “World’s Leading Dive Destination” given to the country for the 6th consecutive time.
Announced by Garcia-Frasco during the launch of the Philippine Dive Experience event in Anilao, Batangas, the tourism secretary praised her Department’s efforts to bring Philippine diving to the forefront of its tourism campaign.
As mentioned by Garcia-Frasco, the country’s dive industry brought in PhP 73 Billion in revenue in 2023 alone, double its 2022 revenue at PhP 37 Billion. With the announcement, Garcia-Frasco iterated the Department’s commitment to developing and supporting the country’s dive industry.
One of its programs includes the installation of five hyperbaric chambers at five strategic spots across the country: Negros Oriental, Puerto Galera, Camiguin, Boracay, and Cebu. These five chambers will be added to the 15 already in different parts of the country. This goal is to ensure and enhance the safety standards of scuba diving in the country’s top dive destinations.
In addition, the Department of Tourism is also working with the Philippine Commission on Sports SCUBA Diving to improve, develop, and audit dive spots found all over the country.
The Philippines’ 2024 World Travel Awards
The Philippines beat ten other nominated dive destinations worldwide, including the Maldives, Belize, the Cayman Islands, and Australia. The winner for each year’s “World’s Leading Dive Destination” is based on which destination gets the most votes from leading industry experts and travelers.
Other awards given to the Philippines include Amanpulo as the “World’s Leading Dive Resort,” Boracay as the “World’s Leading Luxury Island Destination,” Manila as the “World’s Leading City Destination,” and other titles such as “Asia’s Leading Wedding Destination,” and “Asia’s Leading Beach Destination.”
Related article: Famous Dive Sites in Boracay
Additional awards include the City of Dreams as the “World’s Leading Casino Resort” and the Department of Tourism (DOT) as the “World’s Leading Tourist Board.”
Discovering Diving in the Philippines
Diving is a tourism product that ranks at the top of the Philippines’ list. It’s undoubtedly a premier diving destination, generating billions of significant revenues for the country’s tourism industry.
The archipelago is home to over 2000 fish species and over 500 coral species, and the whole country is located within the Coral Triangle, considered the world’s center of marine biodiversity. Home to more than 76% of the world’s coral species, the Coral Triangle provides resources that sustain millions of people in the region.
The Philippines is one of only 17 megadiverse countries globally, boasting thousands of dive spots that feature pinnacles, wreck sites, coral gardens, and so much more. The reasons why it’s become the best dive destination in the world can be attributed to the following:
- Recreational Diving Opportunities
- Underwater Photography Offerings
- Accessibility of Dive Lessons and Certifications
Premier diving facilities, great options for different diver skill levels, and macro and underwater photography opportunities allow for a dive industry that attracts millions of professionals and enthusiasts from all over the globe.
Top dive spots in the country range from shore entry to spots reachable by outrigger boats to further spots requiring regular ships. These top dive spots include:
- Anilao, Batangas
- Balicasag Island, Bohol
- Malapascua, Cebu
- Apo Island, Negros Oriental
- Tubbataha Reef Marine Park, Palawan
- Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro
A certified scuba diver, Garcia-Frasco knows firsthand the beauty and richness of the country’s dive destinations while recognizing common challenges. The Department of Tourism has successfully developed and created programs that continue to enhance, protect, and push the country’s diving industry as a premier tourism product. Proven through the WTA title of “World’s Leading Dive Destination for 2024,” Garcia-Frasco continues to unveil and execute plans to strengthen the country’s booming diving infrastructure.
Related article: 10 Best Dive Destinations in the Philippines
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Featured Image by Bohol Divers Club
