THE Department of Tourism said that the diving industry is fast becoming an income-generating industry as it had contributed over P73 billion to the economy in 2023.

Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco made the remarks at the opening of the Philippine International Dive Expo (PHIDEX) 2024.

Frasco also said that the income generated by the dive industry last year was almost double the P37 billion generated in 2022.

“United under the guidance and visionary leadership of our President, we can look forward to yielding additional revenue from this industry, reinforcing the Philippine position as the world's premier dive destination, and tourism's role as now one of the strongest pillars of our economy, providing livelihood and employment for millions of Filipinos,” Frasco said.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had previously vowed to continue establishing the country as a hotspot for marine biodiversity, as every dive taken and reef explored was a chance ''to deepen our connection with our environment and reaffirm our duty to its preservation.''

Earlier, Marcos said that the government had been working on showcasing new dive destinations.

He said they are inviting potential investors to expand the country’s dive tourism sector.

“This distinction for the Philippines, we take to heart with a firm commitment to ensure not just the marketability, but more importantly, the sustainability of our dive industry,” Frasco said.