Hello world! for your inquiries about dive certifications, dive trips, dive gears and live aboards please check this link:
http://www.scubaworld.com.ph/contacts
R.P promotes scuba diving in the Philippines
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.
Its great way to promote w beautiful recreation like scuba diving
news source:
Monday, December 14, 2009
Friday, November 20, 2009
Good evening. Don't forget the Friendly game tomorrow! Players and Fans of Lipa football club be there.
Richard Aspa
http://ping.fm/0cIq9
Richard Aspa
http://ping.fm/0cIq9
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Australia warns against sea travel in Philippines
http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/1480895133000201333qmeytS
MANILA, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- The Australian government warned its citizens on Wednesday against sea travel in the Philippines, citing poor maritime rescue services in the country during ship mishaps. Better have a dive insurance with you.
Australia issued the warning after a passenger ship sank off the coast of Zamboanga peninsula in southern Philippines Sunday, killing nine people.
Its better to Insured yourself huh?
"Sea travel in the Philippines is hazardous," Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said in an advisory. "You should not travel on ferries unless no other means of travel is available."
Super Ferry 9, a 7,268-ton ship, was heading to Iloilo province from General Santos City when it listed for several hours before sinking. More than 900 passengers and crew members were rescued from the tragedy.
Following the incident, the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) has suspended the operations of Aboitiz Transport System Corp. (ATSC).
Sea travel is one of the common and cheaper means of transportation within the Philippines, an archipelago consisting of more than 7,100 islands..
The country's cash-strapped coast guard lacks the capability and equipment to monitor sea travel and the ability to quickly respond to sea emergencies.
"Ferries are often overloaded, lack necessary lifesaving equipment and are not adequately maintained. Storms can develop quickly," Australia said.
It also noted that standards maintained by search and rescue services, transport services and tour operators, including adventure activities such as scuba diving, may not be comparable to those in Australia.
The DFAT advised travelers to check operators' credentials and safety equipment beforehand and ensure that their travel insurance policy covers their planned activities.
Australians were likewise warned against pirate attacks in the country, saying piracy occurs in the coastal areas of the Philippines.
At the same time, the DFAT urged its citizens in the country to avoid any large gatherings, demonstrations, protests, rallies or other public events in the run up to the May 2010 polls "as they may turn violent."
"Such events may become more common in the lead-up to country-wide elections in May 2010. You should monitor the media for information about any protests and follow the advice of authorities," Australia said.
Editor: Lin Zhi
http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/1480906702000201333HUEYXIscuba news source
*******Whewww! But sure we got great beaches and dive sites*****
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Time to take the plunge
Where does one go to escape the heat at this time of year? By this point of the summer, we’re bored of our apartments, tired of sitting in the car with the air-conditioning on full blast and trawling the malls seems a bit old hat too.
Most options elicit a weary sigh, but all is not lost. What about heading underwater for a spot of scuba diving?
“Just think, the world is two thirds water,” says Sam Joffe, an instructor and manager at Al Boom dive centre on Al Wasl Road in Dubai.
The sweltering UAE summer means big business for the dive centre and it is currently peak season for them in all three of their UAE centres — one in Dubai, one in Al Aqah and one that opened earlier this month in Jebel Ali.
Every Friday, Joffe says, they have about 120 divers in the water at various locations, so despite the recession and cost of diving (the four day learner’s course, for example, costs Dh2,350) it seems that business for Al Boom is, well, booming.
“At the moment there are quite a few advanced courses going on, lots of residents advancing their skills, but then tourists discover scuba here too” says Joffe. “Then there’s also our residents’ course every third week of the month for those who want to learn and finish work early in the afternoon.”
All of Al Boom’s courses are designed by PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors), the world’s largest diving training organisation, which has handed out more than 17 million diving certificates since it was founded in 1966. Nowadays, it has a vast global reach and trains more than 50 per cent of all those who learn to dive worldwide — stiff competition for its smaller rivals such as BSAC (British Sub Aqua Club) and the American NAUI (National Association of Underwater Instructors).
Al Boom is recognised by PADI as the UAE’s number one diving centre and it is carefully manned by Francis Uy, the course director and operations manager who has been a diving instructor for 11 years and has worked at Al Boom for six of them.
PADI, however, has had various criticisms levelled at it in recent years – detractors say the acronym stands for “Pay And Dive In.”
One of the most common complaints is that its learner courses are too short, designed simply to churn as many divers through as possible for the cash. The result, the critics say, is that seas are increasingly full of divers who don’t know what they’re doing. They put themselves and fellow divers at risk, while also crashing about into coral and causing damage to the sea’s delicate ecosystems.
In 2006, following three diving deaths off the British coast in Cornwall and Devon, a diving expert slammed various training courses and singled out PADI in particular for their advanced open water course, which allow a novice to take just nine dives before qualifying as advanced.
“That is madness, end of conversation,” said Dr Philip Bryson, the head of the Diving Diseases Research Centre in Plymouth.
PADI replied that their system is tried and tested.
“We have a lot of data about the efficacy of our system and the vast majority are out there diving quite happily,” said Mark Caney, the organisation’s vice-president.
Others say that PADI’s courses are dangerous because they never demand any kind of refresher class. You can take the course while on holiday, have a break of many years before hopping in again, having forgotten all about buoyancy, how to gauge your oxygen levels, how deep to go and a whole host of other technicalities.
I know something of this because the last time I went diving was on the day the 2004 tsunami struck. I happened to be on holiday just off the coast of Kenya, on an island called Lamu. It was Boxing Day and my family set out in the morning for one dive, to be followed by lunch on the boat and another dive afterwards.
“The water is being very strange today,” said the wizened Kenyan boatman as we clambered aboard that morning – one of those throwaway statements that seemed so prophetic afterwards.
I hadn’t been diving for three years, since I first qualified in Thailand, and the disorientating currents pushing us in all manner of directions scared me. Sulky teenagers, my brothers and I refused to go back down again after lunch, so my parents left us sunbathing on deck and went without us.
Radio announcements soon alerted the captain to the disaster unfolding along Asian coastlines. My parents were hurriedly brought up and the boat raced ashore, for no one knew then how the African coast would be affected. In the end, compared with the devastation elsewhere, it was barely touched.
Despite my having taken PADI’s advanced course, I haven’t been diving since and realise how little I can recall of my original training.
Though it is not compulsory according to PADI, Uy points out that Al Boom offers and recommends a refresher course to those who have not dived for six months. It is, he says, something that many PADI centres do. The onus, he adds, is for divers to be sensible and gauge what their capabilities are.
As for the claim that the courses have become too short, Joffe says that is a misconception.
“It’s a marketing campaign because people say: ‘I don’t have time to learn.’ You can then say to them it only takes four days, but it’s only ever taken four days.”
Then there’s the debate about diving in general, with increasing numbers flocking to areas such as the Red Sea, the Great Barrier Reef and islands off Thailand, leaving pollution and damage in their wake. The subject was raised last month in The Times in a piece written by Cavan Pawson, a diver with 10 years experience who said that he had decided to hang up his dive mask after becoming “sickened” by diving practices he has witnessed in recent years. These include woefully inexperienced instructors, overcrowded dive sites and divers who care little for the environment.
Actually, says Joffe, divers tend to be very eco-aware.
“You get exceptions to the rule of course, but usually the divers watch one another or the instructor does. They become ambassadors for the ocean.”
“Around here it’s definitely not at the point where it’s damaging the environment,” says Uy, who talks proudly of the sites that the UAE has to offer.
The country’s coastlines are not listed among the world’s very best sites, but in some ways that’s an advantage because there aren’t the vast number of dive boats here one finds at popular destinations such as Sharm el Sheikh.
The best site? Both Joffe and Uy say it depends. On the east coast, there is Al Aqah in Fujairah, with good visibility and marine life such as rays, grouper and various small species of fish. More exciting still, the pair say there have been sightings of whale sharks off nearby Dibba Rock in recent months.
Whale sharks, the largest of the species, can grow up to 18 metres long and have mouths that can stretch to 1.5 metres (happily they mostly only eat plankton and fish).
“The Gulf’s become a breeding ground for them,” says Joffe, adding that turtles are a common sight too.
Then there is the lesser-visited northern tip of Omani Musandam, which is occasionally afflicted by strong currents but where the water and stunning coral reefs remain “pristine”, says Uy.
“It’s one of the best there is and I’ve been diving for some time,” he adds, before reeling off Egypt, Djibouti and Malaysia’s Sipidan as his top diving spots, while loyally insisting that his homeland, the Philippines, remains his favourite. “But I’m very open minded at every dive site,” he says. “I never compare things.
“For instance, if you dive here right now there have been sightings of sea horses. Imagine, people travel the world to see sea horses and they’re right there off Jumeirah Beach.”
Instructors at Al Boom’s new centre in Jebel Ali lead people out on wreck dives. The most interesting and preserved wreck, according to Uy, is the Zainab lying almost 30 kilometres off the Dubai coast.
Originally a cargo ship, she had been modified to illegally carry oil from Iraq to other countries. It was scuttled by her crew in 2001 to avoid an inspection from the coastguard. The Zainab was carrying 1,300 tonnes of oil and its sinking threatened to lead to an environmental disaster. But authorities contained the slick and now she lies 30 metres deep, often surrounded by barracuda.
“I was there yesterday,” says Uy. “She’s beautiful, perfect.”
“We are also very proud because we have what I call the new area of diving in Dubai Mall, the aquarium,” he says.
There, onlookers can don a suit and tank and jump in with the tiger and leopard sharks. It has been hugely popular since being launched earlier this year.
“It’s the new kind of dive centre, in a shopping mall with Starbucks next door,” says Joffe.
“A very Dubai type of diving?” I joke.
“Yes,” they both say, laughing.
What on earth would Jacques Cousteau think about that?
Most options elicit a weary sigh, but all is not lost. What about heading underwater for a spot of scuba diving?
“Just think, the world is two thirds water,” says Sam Joffe, an instructor and manager at Al Boom dive centre on Al Wasl Road in Dubai.
The sweltering UAE summer means big business for the dive centre and it is currently peak season for them in all three of their UAE centres — one in Dubai, one in Al Aqah and one that opened earlier this month in Jebel Ali.
Every Friday, Joffe says, they have about 120 divers in the water at various locations, so despite the recession and cost of diving (the four day learner’s course, for example, costs Dh2,350) it seems that business for Al Boom is, well, booming.
“At the moment there are quite a few advanced courses going on, lots of residents advancing their skills, but then tourists discover scuba here too” says Joffe. “Then there’s also our residents’ course every third week of the month for those who want to learn and finish work early in the afternoon.”
All of Al Boom’s courses are designed by PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors), the world’s largest diving training organisation, which has handed out more than 17 million diving certificates since it was founded in 1966. Nowadays, it has a vast global reach and trains more than 50 per cent of all those who learn to dive worldwide — stiff competition for its smaller rivals such as BSAC (British Sub Aqua Club) and the American NAUI (National Association of Underwater Instructors).
Al Boom is recognised by PADI as the UAE’s number one diving centre and it is carefully manned by Francis Uy, the course director and operations manager who has been a diving instructor for 11 years and has worked at Al Boom for six of them.
PADI, however, has had various criticisms levelled at it in recent years – detractors say the acronym stands for “Pay And Dive In.”
One of the most common complaints is that its learner courses are too short, designed simply to churn as many divers through as possible for the cash. The result, the critics say, is that seas are increasingly full of divers who don’t know what they’re doing. They put themselves and fellow divers at risk, while also crashing about into coral and causing damage to the sea’s delicate ecosystems.
In 2006, following three diving deaths off the British coast in Cornwall and Devon, a diving expert slammed various training courses and singled out PADI in particular for their advanced open water course, which allow a novice to take just nine dives before qualifying as advanced.
“That is madness, end of conversation,” said Dr Philip Bryson, the head of the Diving Diseases Research Centre in Plymouth.
PADI replied that their system is tried and tested.
“We have a lot of data about the efficacy of our system and the vast majority are out there diving quite happily,” said Mark Caney, the organisation’s vice-president.
Others say that PADI’s courses are dangerous because they never demand any kind of refresher class. You can take the course while on holiday, have a break of many years before hopping in again, having forgotten all about buoyancy, how to gauge your oxygen levels, how deep to go and a whole host of other technicalities.
I know something of this because the last time I went diving was on the day the 2004 tsunami struck. I happened to be on holiday just off the coast of Kenya, on an island called Lamu. It was Boxing Day and my family set out in the morning for one dive, to be followed by lunch on the boat and another dive afterwards.
“The water is being very strange today,” said the wizened Kenyan boatman as we clambered aboard that morning – one of those throwaway statements that seemed so prophetic afterwards.
I hadn’t been diving for three years, since I first qualified in Thailand, and the disorientating currents pushing us in all manner of directions scared me. Sulky teenagers, my brothers and I refused to go back down again after lunch, so my parents left us sunbathing on deck and went without us.
Radio announcements soon alerted the captain to the disaster unfolding along Asian coastlines. My parents were hurriedly brought up and the boat raced ashore, for no one knew then how the African coast would be affected. In the end, compared with the devastation elsewhere, it was barely touched.
Despite my having taken PADI’s advanced course, I haven’t been diving since and realise how little I can recall of my original training.
Though it is not compulsory according to PADI, Uy points out that Al Boom offers and recommends a refresher course to those who have not dived for six months. It is, he says, something that many PADI centres do. The onus, he adds, is for divers to be sensible and gauge what their capabilities are.
As for the claim that the courses have become too short, Joffe says that is a misconception.
“It’s a marketing campaign because people say: ‘I don’t have time to learn.’ You can then say to them it only takes four days, but it’s only ever taken four days.”
Then there’s the debate about diving in general, with increasing numbers flocking to areas such as the Red Sea, the Great Barrier Reef and islands off Thailand, leaving pollution and damage in their wake. The subject was raised last month in The Times in a piece written by Cavan Pawson, a diver with 10 years experience who said that he had decided to hang up his dive mask after becoming “sickened” by diving practices he has witnessed in recent years. These include woefully inexperienced instructors, overcrowded dive sites and divers who care little for the environment.
Actually, says Joffe, divers tend to be very eco-aware.
“You get exceptions to the rule of course, but usually the divers watch one another or the instructor does. They become ambassadors for the ocean.”
“Around here it’s definitely not at the point where it’s damaging the environment,” says Uy, who talks proudly of the sites that the UAE has to offer.
The country’s coastlines are not listed among the world’s very best sites, but in some ways that’s an advantage because there aren’t the vast number of dive boats here one finds at popular destinations such as Sharm el Sheikh.
The best site? Both Joffe and Uy say it depends. On the east coast, there is Al Aqah in Fujairah, with good visibility and marine life such as rays, grouper and various small species of fish. More exciting still, the pair say there have been sightings of whale sharks off nearby Dibba Rock in recent months.
Whale sharks, the largest of the species, can grow up to 18 metres long and have mouths that can stretch to 1.5 metres (happily they mostly only eat plankton and fish).
“The Gulf’s become a breeding ground for them,” says Joffe, adding that turtles are a common sight too.
Then there is the lesser-visited northern tip of Omani Musandam, which is occasionally afflicted by strong currents but where the water and stunning coral reefs remain “pristine”, says Uy.
“It’s one of the best there is and I’ve been diving for some time,” he adds, before reeling off Egypt, Djibouti and Malaysia’s Sipidan as his top diving spots, while loyally insisting that his homeland, the Philippines, remains his favourite. “But I’m very open minded at every dive site,” he says. “I never compare things.
“For instance, if you dive here right now there have been sightings of sea horses. Imagine, people travel the world to see sea horses and they’re right there off Jumeirah Beach.”
Instructors at Al Boom’s new centre in Jebel Ali lead people out on wreck dives. The most interesting and preserved wreck, according to Uy, is the Zainab lying almost 30 kilometres off the Dubai coast.
Originally a cargo ship, she had been modified to illegally carry oil from Iraq to other countries. It was scuttled by her crew in 2001 to avoid an inspection from the coastguard. The Zainab was carrying 1,300 tonnes of oil and its sinking threatened to lead to an environmental disaster. But authorities contained the slick and now she lies 30 metres deep, often surrounded by barracuda.
“I was there yesterday,” says Uy. “She’s beautiful, perfect.”
“We are also very proud because we have what I call the new area of diving in Dubai Mall, the aquarium,” he says.
There, onlookers can don a suit and tank and jump in with the tiger and leopard sharks. It has been hugely popular since being launched earlier this year.
“It’s the new kind of dive centre, in a shopping mall with Starbucks next door,” says Joffe.
“A very Dubai type of diving?” I joke.
“Yes,” they both say, laughing.
What on earth would Jacques Cousteau think about that?
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Dive tourists up 62.8 percent in Philippines
PUERTO GALERA, Philippines — As the Department of Tourism (DOT) aggressively pushes "Dive Tourism" in some areas in the Philippines, the number of dive tourists in the Philippines grew by 62.8 percent in the first quarter of 2009.
A record from the DOT planning and promotion office revealed that Cebu, Bohol, Palawan, Mindoro Oriental and Batangas are the identified favorite diving destinations especially for foreign tourists.
German dive enthusiasts visiting these diving destinations posted 131 percent increase while the Korean dive tourists went up by 104 percent, American 37 percent, Japanese 34 percent and Chinese 31 percent.
Over-all gross receipts from dive tourism in these destinations posted an upsurge of 52.8 percent to P31 million compared to P20.2 it generated in the first quarter of 2008.
The record showed that substantial growth of 82 percent was recorded during the first quarter of 2009. Revenue generated by dive operations in Bohol went up by 195 percent, while those in Cebu increased by 69 percent.
During 17th Marine Diving Fair in Tokyo, the Philippine DOT Pavilion attracted more than 20,000 visitors and garnered awards for Best Diving Area, Most Desirable Destination, Best Dive Resort and Favorite Dive Operators for the country and participating dive operators.
The DOT also continued to draw dive tourists in its annual participation in the Golden Dolphin Fair in Moscow which attracted over 23,000 visitors from all the regions of Russia and overseas.
Earlier, DOT secretary Joseph Ace Durano urged the local government units (LGUs), as well as diving shops operators in the Philippines, to put premium rates on diving fees, as this kind of potential tourist-drawer product has been under-valued.
Durano said that as far as scuba diving is concerned the Philippines ranks high among interest of scuba diving enthusiasts all over the world, thus there is a need for LGUs to put premium on pricing in charging scuba diving activities in their localities.
"We can afford to put premium on pricing," Durano said emphasizing that in his visits in the top diving spots in the country, he has been urging LGUs, as well as scuba diving operators to charge high in fees, so that LGU can sustain the maintenance and protection of the marine resources.
In Malapascua Islet alone in Cebu, which is one of the top 10 best diving spots in the Philippines, is only charging P100 per dive, P30 of this will go to barangay Logon the lone barangay on the Islet, and the P70 will go to the government of Bantayan Island.
Not only in Malapascua, but also in other eco-tourism destinations in the Philippines, wherein charging fees for eco-tourism activities aside from scuba diving, such as snorkling, whale shark interaction like in Donsol, Sorsogon, among others are also charging very cheap rates.
Durano mentioned that in Australia, in order for people to see a whale-shark or any marine life contained in a aquarium is charging at least $40 per person, which is around P1,800 in Philippine peso (P46 base exchange).
For scuba diving, which is one of the most expensive hobbies, Durano said people from all over the world are willing to spend, just to have the best experience under water.
LGUs that are host of a diving spot destination, should formulate a good price points, in order to get good revenue in this kind of activity to operate a sustainable coastal and marine protection program.
Central Visayas region there are four top diving spots known in the world, these are the Malapascua Islet, Moalboal, Balicasag Island (Bohol), and Apo Island (Negros).
Since scuba diving is a hobby which is mostly indulged in by well-to-do market, Durano said this is one of the few tourism products in the country that is considered as "recession proof"
A record from the DOT planning and promotion office revealed that Cebu, Bohol, Palawan, Mindoro Oriental and Batangas are the identified favorite diving destinations especially for foreign tourists.
German dive enthusiasts visiting these diving destinations posted 131 percent increase while the Korean dive tourists went up by 104 percent, American 37 percent, Japanese 34 percent and Chinese 31 percent.
Over-all gross receipts from dive tourism in these destinations posted an upsurge of 52.8 percent to P31 million compared to P20.2 it generated in the first quarter of 2008.
The record showed that substantial growth of 82 percent was recorded during the first quarter of 2009. Revenue generated by dive operations in Bohol went up by 195 percent, while those in Cebu increased by 69 percent.
During 17th Marine Diving Fair in Tokyo, the Philippine DOT Pavilion attracted more than 20,000 visitors and garnered awards for Best Diving Area, Most Desirable Destination, Best Dive Resort and Favorite Dive Operators for the country and participating dive operators.
The DOT also continued to draw dive tourists in its annual participation in the Golden Dolphin Fair in Moscow which attracted over 23,000 visitors from all the regions of Russia and overseas.
Earlier, DOT secretary Joseph Ace Durano urged the local government units (LGUs), as well as diving shops operators in the Philippines, to put premium rates on diving fees, as this kind of potential tourist-drawer product has been under-valued.
Durano said that as far as scuba diving is concerned the Philippines ranks high among interest of scuba diving enthusiasts all over the world, thus there is a need for LGUs to put premium on pricing in charging scuba diving activities in their localities.
"We can afford to put premium on pricing," Durano said emphasizing that in his visits in the top diving spots in the country, he has been urging LGUs, as well as scuba diving operators to charge high in fees, so that LGU can sustain the maintenance and protection of the marine resources.
In Malapascua Islet alone in Cebu, which is one of the top 10 best diving spots in the Philippines, is only charging P100 per dive, P30 of this will go to barangay Logon the lone barangay on the Islet, and the P70 will go to the government of Bantayan Island.
Not only in Malapascua, but also in other eco-tourism destinations in the Philippines, wherein charging fees for eco-tourism activities aside from scuba diving, such as snorkling, whale shark interaction like in Donsol, Sorsogon, among others are also charging very cheap rates.
Durano mentioned that in Australia, in order for people to see a whale-shark or any marine life contained in a aquarium is charging at least $40 per person, which is around P1,800 in Philippine peso (P46 base exchange).
For scuba diving, which is one of the most expensive hobbies, Durano said people from all over the world are willing to spend, just to have the best experience under water.
LGUs that are host of a diving spot destination, should formulate a good price points, in order to get good revenue in this kind of activity to operate a sustainable coastal and marine protection program.
Central Visayas region there are four top diving spots known in the world, these are the Malapascua Islet, Moalboal, Balicasag Island (Bohol), and Apo Island (Negros).
Since scuba diving is a hobby which is mostly indulged in by well-to-do market, Durano said this is one of the few tourism products in the country that is considered as "recession proof"
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
PGMA an asset to RP diving industry
PGMA an asset to RP diving industry
Dumaguete City (9 July) -- Having a president who is a known diving enthusiast is a big boost for the tourism industry in Negros Oriental which has long attracted divers from across the world.
Steve de Neef, a Belgian underwater photographer who first arrived in Negros Oriental five years ago as a tourist, said that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's diving activities have cast a positive light on the dive industry in the country.
"It's a good thing that we have a president who dives and she does really care about the marine life," stressed de Neef who works for Atlantis Dive Resorts and is now based here.
Pres. Arroyo in April this year made a brief unannounced private stopover in the province to go scuba diving off Apo Island in Dauin before setting off for a two-day trip across the country to launch the Eastern Seaboard Route of the Strong Republic National Highway.
The President was reportedly accompanied by her daughter, Luli, who also went scuba diving in the waters of Apo Island.
Apo has been consistently ranked among the top 100 dive sites in the world.
Despite the global economic crisis, the dive industry in the province remains vibrant partly due to the more affordable package offered by local dive resorts compared to the more pricey dive tours abroad, said de Reef.
This and the beautiful marine life here are part of the irresistible pull that draws in dive enthusiasts to Negros Oriental.
He added that the local community participation in protecting the marine life as espoused in Apo Island has made the dive spots a favorite not only among dive professionals but also tourists who are curious about what made the marine sanctuary a success.
Apo Island and its unique vibrant coral reef have been protected as a fish sanctuary since 1982. It is also one of the world's best known community-organized marine sanctuaries and has been well-documented by the international science community.
Whitney Fleming, an American volunteer who is actively involved in humanitarian work in the province, said that anthropology also plays a part in why tourist traffic here remains abuzz. "American tourists come here and see a success like that (in Apo Island). These people travel all around the world to go diving and they have seen projects that do and don't work, and Apo Island is one of the most successful projects in Southeast Asia. It's so world-renowned that people from abroad come here just to study Apo Island and its marine ecology… and how they incorporated the local people to embrace the project and make it a success," she explained.
Aside from the dive industry, Fleming and de Neef noted an increase in the number of backpackers touring the province.
"Backpacking is an industry that's growing huge in Dumaguete. There are now more backpacking young people coming here and it's because of the dive industry, the local tourist spots, the mountains… there's just so much to do here," said Fleming.
Friendly people
Fleming is a humanitarian works volunteer who met de Neef in Dumaguete City five years ago and the now married couple have settled down here.
Both Fleming and de Neef describe the Filipinos as "some of the kindest, most open-hearted, generous, sincere people." "They always have fantastic smiles, they are so friendly. You sit down in a café and you're going to meet somebody and have a genuine conversation. You can talk to the pedicab drivers or sit at the back of the jeep and have a conversation and I love that," said Fleming.
In their more than five years stay in the country, Fleming and de Neef said that even the negative experiences have ended positively. "I once had something stolen from our house. The next day we already knew who had it, because the whole neighborhood came together and helped us. We went to the barangay captain and the guy who stole it was there and even he was friendly," mused de Neef.
Fleming said that she and de Neef invite their family and friends to visit the country all the time. "There's always interesting people here to have conversations with," said Fleming.
The warmth of the people and the beauty of the Philippines have become too irresistible for the couple who are now firm on starting their family here. "We moved around to different places in Asia… but we really want to begin our life here in Dumaguete, this is where we want to live. Even if our families are abroad, we feel that our life is really here," said Fleming.
Dumaguete City (9 July) -- Having a president who is a known diving enthusiast is a big boost for the tourism industry in Negros Oriental which has long attracted divers from across the world.
Steve de Neef, a Belgian underwater photographer who first arrived in Negros Oriental five years ago as a tourist, said that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's diving activities have cast a positive light on the dive industry in the country.
"It's a good thing that we have a president who dives and she does really care about the marine life," stressed de Neef who works for Atlantis Dive Resorts and is now based here.
Pres. Arroyo in April this year made a brief unannounced private stopover in the province to go scuba diving off Apo Island in Dauin before setting off for a two-day trip across the country to launch the Eastern Seaboard Route of the Strong Republic National Highway.
The President was reportedly accompanied by her daughter, Luli, who also went scuba diving in the waters of Apo Island.
Apo has been consistently ranked among the top 100 dive sites in the world.
Despite the global economic crisis, the dive industry in the province remains vibrant partly due to the more affordable package offered by local dive resorts compared to the more pricey dive tours abroad, said de Reef.
This and the beautiful marine life here are part of the irresistible pull that draws in dive enthusiasts to Negros Oriental.
He added that the local community participation in protecting the marine life as espoused in Apo Island has made the dive spots a favorite not only among dive professionals but also tourists who are curious about what made the marine sanctuary a success.
Apo Island and its unique vibrant coral reef have been protected as a fish sanctuary since 1982. It is also one of the world's best known community-organized marine sanctuaries and has been well-documented by the international science community.
Whitney Fleming, an American volunteer who is actively involved in humanitarian work in the province, said that anthropology also plays a part in why tourist traffic here remains abuzz. "American tourists come here and see a success like that (in Apo Island). These people travel all around the world to go diving and they have seen projects that do and don't work, and Apo Island is one of the most successful projects in Southeast Asia. It's so world-renowned that people from abroad come here just to study Apo Island and its marine ecology… and how they incorporated the local people to embrace the project and make it a success," she explained.
Aside from the dive industry, Fleming and de Neef noted an increase in the number of backpackers touring the province.
"Backpacking is an industry that's growing huge in Dumaguete. There are now more backpacking young people coming here and it's because of the dive industry, the local tourist spots, the mountains… there's just so much to do here," said Fleming.
Friendly people
Fleming is a humanitarian works volunteer who met de Neef in Dumaguete City five years ago and the now married couple have settled down here.
Both Fleming and de Neef describe the Filipinos as "some of the kindest, most open-hearted, generous, sincere people." "They always have fantastic smiles, they are so friendly. You sit down in a café and you're going to meet somebody and have a genuine conversation. You can talk to the pedicab drivers or sit at the back of the jeep and have a conversation and I love that," said Fleming.
In their more than five years stay in the country, Fleming and de Neef said that even the negative experiences have ended positively. "I once had something stolen from our house. The next day we already knew who had it, because the whole neighborhood came together and helped us. We went to the barangay captain and the guy who stole it was there and even he was friendly," mused de Neef.
Fleming said that she and de Neef invite their family and friends to visit the country all the time. "There's always interesting people here to have conversations with," said Fleming.
The warmth of the people and the beauty of the Philippines have become too irresistible for the couple who are now firm on starting their family here. "We moved around to different places in Asia… but we really want to begin our life here in Dumaguete, this is where we want to live. Even if our families are abroad, we feel that our life is really here," said Fleming.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Premier Tour Operator, Swim With Dolphins Bahamas, Introduces Unique Scuba Diving With Dolphins Tour
Premier Tour Operator, Swim With Dolphins Bahamas, Introduces Unique Scuba Diving With Dolphins Tour
July 21, 2009 (FPRC) -- FREEPORT, BAHAMAS – As the leading dolphin tour organizers, Swim With Dolphins Bahamas is now offering visitors a unique and memorable Bahamas scuba diving experience. Participants of The Dive With The Dolphins tour can scuba dive alongside fully trained Bahamas dolphins – a diving opportunity not easily available.
Tour participants travel aboard a customized diving boat that transports passengers to the coral reef. The interaction with the dolphins in this environment is particularly memorable, as the dolphins are in their natural habitat. However, to ensure maximum safety of all participants, all dolphins are fully trained by professional dolphin trainers and the dolphins follow the dive boat to the coral reef where the interaction takes place.
"Swimming with dolphins is an experience unique in itself, but we add an extra twist to it by allowing tourists to get up close and very personal with the dolphins through a scuba diving experience," says Chris Gardner of Swim With Dolphins Bahamas.
Once at the reef, passengers are free to dive into the waters to play with the dolphins and enjoy the beauty of the coral reefs of the Bahamas. All participants are trained to use particular hand gestures that dolphins respond to, before the scuba diving trip. In order to make swimming with dolphins Bahamas more enjoyable, it is important to know basic gestures such as those for spinning around, retrieving items and other clever tricks. Dolphins are very smart sea creatures, and this trip gives tourists a chance to interact with dolphins and witness this first hand.
"The Dive With The Dolphins Tour is definitely one of the best tours available for those visiting the Bahamas. Never before has scuba diving been so intriguing and so much fun. Tour participants not only get to enjoy a fantastic scuba diving experience amidst some of the world’s most beautiful reefs but also get to interact with dolphins in their natural environment," concludes Gardner.
The Dive With The Dolphins Tour is only available on Wednesdays and Saturdays, departing at 9:00 AM and lasting approximately two hours. Ticket prices have been slashed from the original $244 to $219, with adults and children paying the same price. The boat departs from the Port Lucaya Marina. Observers are not allowed on board, and all passengers must participate in the diving expedition. Considering the unique nature of the dolphin tour and since it only operates twice a week, visitors are advised to book their Bahamas dolphin swim in advance to avoid disappointment.
About Swim With Dolphins Bahamas:
Swim With Dolphins Bahamas is a company primarily offering swim with dolphins tours in addition to a variety of action-packed tours, including special Bahamas snorkeling excursions. Whether you're looking for incredible scuba diving with dolphins in the Bahamas or to simply relax on the beach, the firm excels at helping guests enjoy all of the activities that the world-renowned tropical paradise offers.
July 21, 2009 (FPRC) -- FREEPORT, BAHAMAS – As the leading dolphin tour organizers, Swim With Dolphins Bahamas is now offering visitors a unique and memorable Bahamas scuba diving experience. Participants of The Dive With The Dolphins tour can scuba dive alongside fully trained Bahamas dolphins – a diving opportunity not easily available.
Tour participants travel aboard a customized diving boat that transports passengers to the coral reef. The interaction with the dolphins in this environment is particularly memorable, as the dolphins are in their natural habitat. However, to ensure maximum safety of all participants, all dolphins are fully trained by professional dolphin trainers and the dolphins follow the dive boat to the coral reef where the interaction takes place.
"Swimming with dolphins is an experience unique in itself, but we add an extra twist to it by allowing tourists to get up close and very personal with the dolphins through a scuba diving experience," says Chris Gardner of Swim With Dolphins Bahamas.
Once at the reef, passengers are free to dive into the waters to play with the dolphins and enjoy the beauty of the coral reefs of the Bahamas. All participants are trained to use particular hand gestures that dolphins respond to, before the scuba diving trip. In order to make swimming with dolphins Bahamas more enjoyable, it is important to know basic gestures such as those for spinning around, retrieving items and other clever tricks. Dolphins are very smart sea creatures, and this trip gives tourists a chance to interact with dolphins and witness this first hand.
"The Dive With The Dolphins Tour is definitely one of the best tours available for those visiting the Bahamas. Never before has scuba diving been so intriguing and so much fun. Tour participants not only get to enjoy a fantastic scuba diving experience amidst some of the world’s most beautiful reefs but also get to interact with dolphins in their natural environment," concludes Gardner.
The Dive With The Dolphins Tour is only available on Wednesdays and Saturdays, departing at 9:00 AM and lasting approximately two hours. Ticket prices have been slashed from the original $244 to $219, with adults and children paying the same price. The boat departs from the Port Lucaya Marina. Observers are not allowed on board, and all passengers must participate in the diving expedition. Considering the unique nature of the dolphin tour and since it only operates twice a week, visitors are advised to book their Bahamas dolphin swim in advance to avoid disappointment.
About Swim With Dolphins Bahamas:
Swim With Dolphins Bahamas is a company primarily offering swim with dolphins tours in addition to a variety of action-packed tours, including special Bahamas snorkeling excursions. Whether you're looking for incredible scuba diving with dolphins in the Bahamas or to simply relax on the beach, the firm excels at helping guests enjoy all of the activities that the world-renowned tropical paradise offers.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
