Philippines Voted Among Top Three Scuba Diving Destinations in the World

Readers of Marine Diving Magazine in Japan have voted the Philippines among the top three scuba diving destinations in the world.
The Department of Tourism (DOT) revealed that the magazine poll ranked the Philippines, the Maldives and Palau as the three best locations for scuba diving holidays and adventures.

The results of the poll were announced at the Marine Diving Fair 2012 which was held in Tokyo, Japan last month. The three-day event attracted more than 50,000 visitors and 200 exhibitors from 50 countries promoted their diving businesses and destinations.
The Tourism Secretary, Ramon R. Jimenez, Jr., explained that the awards showcased the Philippines as a "must-see dive destination".

"Our partnership with the private sector dive tour operators has paid off nicely," he said. "We encourage more suppliers to keep raising the bar for service excellence to grow this market segment."

During the Marine Diving Fair, the Department of Tourism attracted visitors to the Philippines booth with its attractive campaign logo "It's More Fun in the Philippines" and some aquariums.

"With five aquariums placed strategically inside the booth and the paintings of marine life on the wall, fair visitors were drawn to the booth to discover what makes diving ‘more fun' in the Philippines," the DOT commented.

The travel website, CNNGo, also recognised the Philippines as a leading destination for scuba diving holidays recently after it added the Tubbataha Reef and The Canyons in Puerto Galera to its list of best dive sites in the world.

The magazine poll listed Blue Coral as the favourite dive operator for the fifth year in a row and the Good Dive Shop in the Philippines was listed among the top ten dive operators.

The Philippines is made up of an archipelago of 7,107 islands, and with a variety of diving sites and marine biodiversity, it's no surprise that the country is one of the world's top scuba diving destinations.

While scuba diving in the Philippines, divers can swim in clear waters that are home to over 2,500 species of fish, manta rays, dolphins, sharks and whales.

Popular dive sites include Mainit Point, Anilao, Batangas; Beatrice Rock, Anilao, Batangas; Subic Bay; Busuanga; Moalboal, Cebu; and Panagatan.