The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines has successfully concluded its Domestic Tourism Invitational Program (DTIP) held in Camiguin, Northern Mindanao in July. The event brought together 11 tour operators and travel agents affiliated with TPB for an Open Water Dive Course, designed to build the country’s reputation as a top diving destination. Camiguin was chosen as the host site shortly after it became the only Philippine location included in The New York Times’ latest “52 Places to Go” list.
The DTIP serves as a familiarization activity for industry members to showcase emerging travel routes and less popular destinations. This edition focused on growing dive tourism by giving participants the skills and knowledge needed to create and promote competitive dive packages. Over the seven-day program, attendees completed training in both confined and open water settings, covering core diving techniques, safety procedures, and responsible marine tourism practices.
“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.”
Participants also visited Camiguin’s key natural and cultural sites, including Tuasan Falls, Katibawasan Falls, the historic Sunken Cemetery, and the centuries-old Guio-ob Church Ruins, to gain a full understanding of what the island offers both on land and underwater. The program also organized business meetings between TPB members and local dive operators to help form partnerships and develop new travel packages. The next DTIP activity is scheduled for September in Iloilo, where the focus will be on sustainable community-based tourism sites.
