The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines has wrapped up its latest Domestic Tourism Invitational Program (DTIP) in Camiguin, Northern Mindanao, bringing together tourism industry stakeholders to strengthen the country’s position as a premier diving destination.
Held from July 19 to 25, the program gathered 11 TPB-member tour operators and travel agents for an Open Water Dive Course designed to equip participants with the skills and knowledge needed to develop and promote competitive dive tourism packages.
Camiguin’s selection as the host destination comes at an opportune time following its recent inclusion in The New York Times’ “52 Places to Go” list, making it the only Philippine destination featured on this year’s list.
Building Camiguin’s Dive Tourism Potential
DTIP serves as a familiarization platform for TPB members, introducing tourism stakeholders to emerging circuits and lesser-known destinations across the Philippines.
For this edition, the program placed a particular focus on dive tourism, allowing participating tour operators and travel agents to gain practical experience in developing experiences centered on the country’s underwater attractions.
Throughout the week, participants underwent confined water skills training and open water sessions, covering essential diving techniques, safety protocols, and sustainable marine tourism practices.
The program is intended to help industry stakeholders better understand the destination and translate its natural attractions into compelling travel experiences for domestic tourists.
“We are pleased to offer this first dive course to our members as part of our continuing efforts to strengthen domestic tourism and expand opportunities in dive travel,” said TPB Chief Operating Officer Maria Margarita Montemayor Nograles.
“Through this initiative, we hope to encourage travelers to explore the country’s rich underwater experiences and discover more reasons to love the Philippines,” she added.
By combining industry training with destination familiarization, the latest DTIP highlights Camiguin’s potential as a destination for dive enthusiasts while supporting broader efforts to diversify the country’s domestic tourism offerings.
The initiative also reinforces the Philippines’ rich marine tourism portfolio, encouraging tourism stakeholders to uncover and promote more destinations beyond the country’s established travel circuits.