Daily Tribune
Philippine dive destinations generated more than P80.15 million in sales leads at the 2026 Paris Dive Show, marking a 43 percent increase from the P56 million recorded last year.
Iconic sites such as Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, Bohol, Anilao, Cebu, Puerto Galera, Dumaguete, Ticao Island and Southern Leyte were featured at the four-day Salon de la Plongée Sous-Marine, held at the Parc des Expositions in Paris.
The event served as a key platform for the Philippines to strengthen its dive tourism presence in France and across the broader European market.
The 90-square-meter Philippine Pavilion showcased immersive underwater photography panels from 12 Department of Tourism-accredited dive establishments, highlighting the country’s marine biodiversity, sustainability initiatives and conservation-driven tourism programs.
Southern Leyte’s Sogod Bay Dive Sites was spotlighted as the Pavilion’s featured destination through DOT Regional Office VIII, promoting the area as a sustainable and biodiversity-rich dive tourism hub.
Internationally acclaimed underwater photographer and four-time Wildlife Photographer of the Year awardee Laurent Ballesta headlined activities at the Philippine Pavilion. He featured rare deep-sea images from his Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park expedition, captured at depths of up to 150 meters.
Titled “Far from the Sky,” the exhibit ran alongside film screenings and public talks, reinforcing the Philippines’ global reputation as a premier dive destination and a leader in marine conservation and scientific exploration.
Ballesta also shared insights from his recent Gombessa Expeditions mission to Tubbataha, which documented previously unseen marine species and generated scientific data. His award-winning series from Pangatalan Island, which highlights reef recovery and ecosystem resilience, was also showcased at the event.
The Department of Tourism said its participation in the annual Paris Dive Show forms part of its sustained market development and brand positioning strategy to expand the country’s footprint in the French and European markets, while reinforcing the Philippines’ global identity as a diverse, world-class and conservation-driven dive destination.
Participating Philippine companies included Seadoors Liveaboard, Sea Explorers, Solitude Acacia Resort, Ticao Island Resort, Blue Lagoon Dive Resort, El Galleon Resort/Asia Divers, M/Y Resolute, Thalatta Resort, Casalay Boutique Villas and Dive Resort, Atmosphere Resorts & Spa, Magic Resorts Philippines, Abyssworld Philippines Inc., Peter’s Dive Resort and Sogod Bay Scuba Resort.
Government representatives were led by Negros Oriental Gov. Manuel Sagarbarria, Provincial Tourism Executive Director Woodrow C. Maquiling Jr., and Board Members Erwin Michael Macias, Jessica Jane Villanueva and Bruno Bouffard III.
In 2025, the Philippines secured its seventh consecutive title as the World’s Leading Dive Destination at the World Travel Awards, prevailing over 12 global contenders.
