in Negros Oriental
DAUIN, NEGROS ORIENTAL—Dive tourism is one of the major attractions in the Province that is now contributing to the local economy.
This was cited by Crisanta Rodriguez, regional director of the Department of Tourism – Western Visayas and of the Negros Island Region, who said that Negros Oriental has the “most established dive tourism” among the provinces in both regions.
“So napaka laking tulong ang diving in terms sa ekonomiya ng isang lugar kung ikaw ay may dive tourism,” she said.
Rodriguez said dive tourism not only benefits the resorts and the dive shops but also the communities.
“We also consider divers as big spenders because they stay longer in one area hindi po sila na isa o dalawang araw lang to enjoy the marine environment and the community as well,” she said.
The Tourism Regional Director visited the Province to attend the Dive Dauin Festival, touted as the biggest underwater photo shootout in Negros Island.
The Dive Dauin Festival was an offshoot of the Dive7 Fest organized by DOT Central Visayas as part of its post-pandemic recovery program. It started with 30 participants in 2021.
Participants are increasing in number each year, with 70 divers who signed up for the Dive7 Fest in 2024.
This year, a total of 98 divers registered for the competition.
The participants were composed of local divers, as well as foreigners from the USA, South Korea, Ukraine, Netherlands, Thailand, and Russia.
In 2023, the Philippines collected around P76 billion in tourism receipts from diving tourism.
“In both regions, ang Negros po talagang maganda kasi (Negros Island is the best because) I was able to dive in Boracay and Negros there are also dive spots in Negros Occidental, but Negros Oriental has the most number of dive spots, dive shops, and stakeholders,” said Rodriguez.
Tourism stakeholders in Negros Island Region have advocated for the Negros Oriental Dive Association (NORDA), and some private stakeholders to lead the organization of the Dive Dauin Festival to ensure its sustainability and profitability.
Provincial Tourism Board Executive Director Woodrow Maquiling Jr. thanked DOT Central Visayas for initiating the Dive7 Festival in the Province four years ago, which put Negros Oriental on the map as a premier dive tourism destination.
Maquiling said he expects to see an increase in the Province’s tourist influx, which would translate to an increase in revenues, and the creation of more livelihood opportunities. (JCT/PIA NegrOr)
