Chinese divers now eyeing Cebu

CEBU, Philippines -  Cebu is slowly gaining the interest of divers from China and Hong Kong, with its attractive and reasonably priced diving locations within the province.

Network of Independent Travel Agents (NITAS-Cebu) president Ricky Tio, who also owns a 20-year-old travel agency--Cebu Holiday Tours and Travel, said that aside from the sustained bookings from different countries who come to Cebu for diving and other activities, Chinese are now the emerging market for "fun-diving" attraction.

Although the top selling products among the growing Chinese market is island-hopping, diving is closely catching up.

"China and Hong Kong are two of the best markets for diving to tap," he said in an interview adding that top locations for fun diving are Mactan Island, Malapascua, and Moalboal.

Traditionally, most foreign diving enthusiasts are those coming from Europe and Japan. This time, Tio said there is a significant growth among Chinese travelers who are learning to love the diving.

Last month, Tio was in Shanghai, China primarily selling the Philippines, particularly Cebu as diving destination.

On average, Tio's company serves within 50 to 100 divers a month, but there are seasons that booking reaches to 300 divers, who stay in Cebu exploring several fun-diving destinations for at least four days and three nights.

Tio dismissed impressions that diving is one of the over-priced activities in the Philippines. He said in Cebu for instance, diving shops charge between US$60 to US$80 per person for two sessions of 45minute fun-dive.

Just like the Japanese market, Chinese diving enthusiasts are also becoming extravagant or high spenders.

"If we can tap even just one percent of the Chinese market, its already good enough for our tourism," said Tio.

The Department of Tourism is on its active bid to promote the Philippines as preferred diving destination in the world, capitalizing on the country's rich marine biodiversity.

Tourism secretary Ramon Jimenez announced that the Philippines will make diving as one of the front liners of the country for its international tourism promotions,

Jimenez said the tourism department would now be banking on the Philippines being the center of biodiversity in their marketing strategy.

“We will make diving in the Philippines, a major force for tourists to come,” the tourism chief said,

The revenue in diving makes up a quarter of the total tourism revenue.  Divers account to not less than five percent of the country’s tourists.

The Philippines ranks high among interest of Scuba diving enthusiasts all over the world.

Central Visayas region has four top diving spots known in the world, these are the Malapascua Islet, Moalboal, Balicasag Island (Bohol), and Apo Island (Negros). (FREEMAN)