The Philippines generated more than P113.27 million in sales leads after showcasing its world-class diving destinations at the Malaysia International Dive Expo (MIDE) 2026, reinforcing the country’s position as one of the region’s premier dive tourism destinations.
Led by the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines, the Philippine delegation participated in the three-day expo held from June 5 to 7 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) in Kuala Lumpur.
The delegation featured 10 Philippine dive operators, presenting a wide range of travel packages that included discounted accommodations, guided dive experiences, and liveaboard adventures across some of the country’s most sought-after underwater destinations.
Participating exhibitors included Aldive Corporation, Buceo Anilao Beach and Dive Resort, Dauin Silver Reef Dive Resort, Garden of Eden Dive Resort, Kasai Village Dive Resort, Lalaguna Villas Luxury Dive Resort & Spa, Logon Fish Buddies Dive Center, M/Y Resolute (Liveaboards), Slam’s Garden Dive Resort – Ocean Passion, and Umali Dive Center Corporation.
Designed to capture the beauty of the Philippines’ underwater world, the country’s 72-square-meter pavilion featured vibrant imagery from its internationally acclaimed dive sites, drawing strong interest from visitors, particularly from Malaysia.
Among the destinations that attracted the most attention were Palawan, Negros Oriental, Batangas, Cebu, and Mindoro, while visitors also expressed growing interest in specialized experiences such as pelagic diving and wreck diving.
“MIDE provides an excellent opportunity for the Philippines to promote its world-class dive destinations to the Malaysian market and beyond,” said TPB Chief Operating Officer Maria Margarita Montemayor Nograles.
“This year, we came in not only showing the beauty of our underwater treasures but also strengthening our continued support for the Malaysian and Philippine dive stakeholders, as evidenced by the Longstanding Appreciation Award we received for our participation for the last 13 years. With a strong contingent representing various segments of the Philippine dive industry, we achieved an impressive sales lead figure, further solidifying the country’s position as a premier global diving destination,” she added.
Although MIDE is primarily a consumer-focused event, TPB also facilitated 142 business-to-business (B2B) meetings through its market representative in Malaysia, creating opportunities for Philippine dive operators to forge stronger partnerships with Malaysian travel and dive agencies.
The Philippine delegation likewise highlighted the country’s improved accessibility through major carriers such as Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, AirAsia, and Firefly, all of which offer convenient routes connecting Kuala Lumpur to Cebu—one of the country’s main gateways to its top diving destinations.
To further engage visitors, TPB organized promotional activities throughout the expo, including market surveys, giveaways, and exclusive offers for travelers booking Philippine dive packages.
The strong turnout and substantial sales leads underscore the continued global appeal of the Philippines’ marine biodiversity and dive tourism offerings, while strengthening the country’s presence in one of Southeast Asia’s key outbound dive travel markets.
