The Philippines strengthened its dive tourism presence in Western China through its participation in the Diving, Resorts, and Travel (DRT) Show Chengdu 2026, held from July 17 to 19, 2026, at the Western China International Expo City.
As the DRT Show’s first edition in Chengdu, the event provided a platform to engage one of China’s emerging outbound travel markets and promote its dive destinations. The participation generated a total of Php 122,824,028.00 sales leads.
Further affirming its position as a world-class marine destination, the Philippines received the Marine Tourism Excellence Award and the Honorary Tourism Board Award. The latter was conferred on the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines in recognition of its continued efforts to promote the nation as a premier diving destination.
Organized by TPB, in partnership with the Philippine Department of Tourism (PDOT) Beijing, the delegation brought together 19 co-exhibitors from Luzon and Visayas, including three dive tour operators, 12 dive resorts, three dive centers, and the Municipality of Puerto Galera.
The 90-square-meter pavilion showcased the country’s diverse underwater attractions, which drew interest from trade buyers, dive professionals, hobbyists, and other travel consumers throughout the three-day event.
“The Philippines continues to capture the interest of the Chinese dive market with the richness and diversity of our marine ecosystems,” said TPB Chief Operating Officer Maria Margarita Montemayor Nograles. “Our participation in the inaugural DRT Show Chengdu allowed us to introduce more travelers and industry partners to the exceptional diving experiences in the country while creating new opportunities for collaboration with the Chinese market.”
To strengthen business engagement, the delegation hosted the Philippine Dive Night, which gathered 53 Chinese dive companies and diving clubs. The networking event provided an avenue for local exhibitors to build new partnerships, strengthen existing industry relationships, and discuss opportunities to promote the country as a preferred destination for diving holidays and marine adventures.
Home to some of the world’s richest marine biodiversity, vibrant coral reefs, historic wrecks, and renowned dive sites, the archipelago offers world-class underwater experiences for divers of all skill levels.
The Philippines’ successful participation in the inaugural Chengdu leg of the DRT Show reinforces the country’s commitment to expanding its presence in key international dive tourism markets.
