A beach resort in Dauin, Negros Oriental, has landed in a list of the world’s best dive resorts.
Karen Chan, executive director of the Philippine Commission on Sports & Scuba Diving of the Department of Tourism, said Scuba Diving Magazine, through its website www.scubadiving.com, listed Atlantis Resort in Dauin as “one of the world’s best dive resorts”.
Atlantis Resort is 30 minutes south of Dumaguete City. The town of Dauin is the gateway to Apo island, the major tourist drawer for Negros Oriental.
In that list, the Philippines earned a title as Best Destination for Diving in the Pacific and Indian Ocean Regions, a title it shares with Malaysia.
Chan said the study was based on the result of the survey by the website, which is host to the most knowledgeable and honest community of real divers worldwide on the internet.
“Besides this distinction, we also got the title of being the second best shore diving in the same region, and second for the best macro photo,” she said, adding the country also placed third as best destination overall for diving, topside, adventure, nightlife and others in the same regions.
Chan added the international divers also named the country’s marine life as the third best; fourth as healthiest marine environment, and the best in the field of wreck diving.
She noted that 15 percent of the total tourist arrivals in the country are diving enthusiasts.
Chan said the country’s top three best dive areas are: Tubbataha, Batangas and Cebu.
Incidentally, the Philippines will be hosting the World Underwater Federation General Assembly this month in Cebu.
Some 150 underwater federation leaders from around the world are expected to attend the event, which will be held from April 17 to 23 at the Shangri-la Mactan Resort and Spa in Cebu. (PNA)