World Trade Center, Pasay City
February 23, 2024

Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Frasco expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the Administration’s ‘Bagong Pilipinas’ — a transformation that ushers the Philippines as Asia’s next tourism powerhouse – during her speech on the opening day of Philippine International Dive Expo (PHIDEX) at the World Trade Center (WTC) in Pasay City on February 23, 2024.

Under the directives of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the DOT launched several programs such as the very first Philippine tourism dive dialogue and various dive festivals across the regions.

She also cited that the Philippines’ dive tourism offerings have been expanded to emerging and lesser known destinations, bringing to approximately 120 dive destinations in the country.

The Tourism Secretary commended the utmost support of exhibit partners, organizers, diving enthusiasts, leaders, speakers, participants and buyers for their shared love and dedication towards advancing the Philippine diving industry, and for their significant contributions that led to the success of the event.

“United under the guidance and visionary leadership of our President, we can look forward to yielding additional revenue from this industry reinforcing the Philippines’ position as the world’s premiere dive destination and tourism’s role, as now one of the strongest pillars of our economy, providing livelihood and employment for millions of Filipinos… Together, we will champion the many reasons to love diving and to love the Philippines,” Secretary Frasco said.

The Philippine International Dive Expo (PHIDEX) is the country’s largest platform catering to the diving community since 2019, mobilizing industry experts, stakeholders and dive enthusiasts in one communal space to foster collaboration, innovative ideas, sustainable solutions and economic opportunities.

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