RP promotes dive sites in Florida

INQUIRER.net
Posted date: November 30, 2009

FLORIDA, United States—The Philippines’ dive spots took the spotlight at the Diving Equipment and Marketing Association (Dema) Show held here November 4 to 7 at the Orange County Convention Center.

Participating in the international event, Department of Tourism (DOT) highlighted the country as one of the most exciting, diverse, and top-value dive destinations in the world.

Dema Show is the only international trade-only event for diving, action water sports, and adventure travel industries.

Lynn Funkhouser, an internationally-published photographer, author, and a leader in dive travel; Stan Waterman, world-renowned underwater videographer; and Michael Aw, founder of the Celebrate the Sea Marine Festival, international dive photographer, and author of the underwater dive book “Philippines: Heart of the Ocean,” detailed the rich biodiversity of Philippine seas in various seminars that they conducted throughout the duration of the biggest industry trade show for diving in the world.

Speaking about “The Philippines—Everything and More!,” Funkhouser said that the Philippines, being a part of the Coral Triangle, a magnificent region in the world that covers more than one-third of the world's coral reefs and holds nearly 75 percent of all known coral species, is a must destination for any diving enthusiast.

She highlighted that the archipelago—with its 2,500 species of fish compared to Australia's 1,500 and Hawaii's 460; and 720 species of corals compared to the Great Barrier Reef's 350 and Hawaii's 40—is definitely a place where a diver can discover the most diverse marine life.

Waterman’s presentation of Macro-life in Atlantis Resorts of both Puerto Galera and Dumaguete was a crowd-drawer. He showed unique underwater clippings in his self-produced video that are rarely seen (and captured in video) anywhere else in the world.

Aw showed excerpts from his book depicting through photos to explain why he claims that the Philippines is the “Heart of the Ocean.”

As one of the countries exhibiting in the most prestigious dive show/event annually participated in by over 700 exhibitors from all over the world, the Philippines maximized its exposure to the lucrative North American dive market.

The impact of the Philippine participation was due to the strong presence of the US- and Philippine-based dive sellers, as well as the DOT North American Offices and key officials, who all worked hand-in-hand to ensure that the presence of the Philippine Dive Pavilion makes an impact in the Dema Show 2009.

The Philippine delegation was headed by Tourism Undersecretary for Sports Tourism and Wellness, Cynthia Carrion. Also present were Tourism Region VII Director, Patria Aurora Roa, and Head of Overseas Offices Team North America, Ma. Corazon Jorda-Apo. North America Tourism Directors, headed by this year’s Dema lead coordinator, Emma Ruth Yulo from the DOT New York Office, Vernie Velarde-Morales from the DOT Chicago Office, Annie Cuevas from the DOT Los Angeles Office, and Rene De Los Santos from the DOT San Francisco office.

Also in participation was Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) Deputy General Manager for Operations, Ms. Lydia Cosuco. This strong delegation was in full-force in highlighting the Philippines as a premier dive destination in the world. The Philippine Department of Tourism Office was joined by Philippine dive resort owners and representatives, as well as dive tour operators and live-aboard dive boat operators at the Philippine Dive Pavilion. The Philippine Airlines, represented by Genaro Velasquez Jr., Country Manager for United States had also met and discussed with tour operators and dive media to advance its interest in dive market.

The Philippines-based dive tour operators and dive resorts that participated included Adventure Dive Shop, Atlantis Dive Resort, Atmosphere Resort, El Galleon Resort, Expedition Fleet, Bahura Resort, Kasai Village Resort, Marco Vincent Resort, Ocean Geographic, Balicasag Resort, Sea Explorers and Pura Vida Resort, and Travel Vision, Inc. The US-based dive tour operators that joined the Philippine delegation were Ultimate Dive Travel, Caradonna, Island Cruise Adventure, Scuba Travel Ventures, Reef and Rainforest, Inter-Ocean Tours, LiveWell Ventures, Island Dreams Travel, and Philippine Airlines.