Filipino dive and resort exhibitors secured more than P113 million in booked sales during the recently concluded Malaysia International Dive Expo (Mide) in Kuala Lumpur.
The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines said the sales were generated by ten Filipino exhibitors whose dive sites are located in Luzon and the Visayas.
‘Generating P113,273,411.00 million in sales leads, the Philippine delegation showcased the country’s award-winning dive destinations and offered special packages from discounted accommodation rates to guided liveaboard adventures,’ it said.
The TPB led the 10 Philippine dive outfits in the June 5-7 event held at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Center (Mitec). The exhibitors were the Aldive Corp., Buceo Anilao Beach and Dive Resort, Dauin Silver Reef Dive Resort, Garden of Eden Dive Resort, Kasai Village Dive Resort, Lalaguna Villas Luxury Dive Resort and Spa, Logon Fish Buddies Dive Center, M/Y Resolute (Liveaboards), Slam’s Garden Dive Resort-Ocean Passion, and Umali Dive Center Corp.
Dive enthusiasts, mainly from Malaysia, visited the 72-square meter Philippine country pavilion, which was designed with colorful underwater images shot from the country’s renowned dive locations, the TPB said.
The Philippine dive delegation recorded strong interest in destinations such as Palawan, Negros Oriental, Batangas, Cebu, and Mindoro, with visitors also expressing enthusiasm for specialized experiences including pelagic and wreck diving, said TPB Chief Operating Officer Maria Margarita Montemayor Nograles.
‘Mide provided an excellent opportunity for the Philippines to promote its world-class dive destinations to the Malaysian market and beyond,’ she said.
She said the Philippine delegation this year not only showed the beauty of the country’s underwater treasures ‘but also strengthened our continued support for the Malaysian and Philippine dive stakeholders as evidenced by the Longstanding Appreciation Award we received for our participation for the last 13 years.’
‘And with a strong contingent covering the various segments of the Philippine dive industry, we were able to achieve an impressive sales lead figure, solidifying the country’s position as a premier global diving destination,’ she added.
Though Mide is a consumer-based event, the TPB said it organized business-to-business (B2B) meetings through its market representative in Malaysia. A total of 142 meetings were scheduled, allowing Philippine dive stakeholders to establish stronger partnerships with Malaysian dive agents and further increase sales.
In addition to promoting key Philippine dive destinations, Philippine dive companies highlighted improved accessibility through carriers including Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, and Malaysian-based airlines such as AirAsia and Firefly, the TPB said. Both airlines operate direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Cebu, already a key gateway to major dive sites in central Philippines.
Aside from managing the B2B, the TPB said it also organized marketing and promotional activities for the general public including provision of free promotional items for answering market surveys and booking Philippine dive packages.
The TPB Philippines is an attached agency of the Department of Tourism mandated to market and promote the country both domestically and internationally as a world-class tourism and MICE destination.