PHILIPPINES REEFS TUBBATAHA: A NATIONAL TREASURE BY: MARISSA FLOREINDO

Philippines As A Diving Hub Featured In A Coffee Table Book

The second recipient, Mr. Graeme Gourlay (center), Managing DIrector of DIve Magazine, the largest subscribed dive publication in the UK.

DOT-Cordillera Administrative Region Director Venus Tan delivers a brief introduction to the book.

Secretary Wanda Teo (second from left) hands over a copy of the book to Theresa Bennett (center), Managing Director and Phil North, Brand Manager of Dive Worldwide, the largest dive travel operator in the UK and staunch partners in promoting the Philippines as a dive destination.

            London—Tourism Secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo presented the first ever coffee table book on Tubbataha Reefs, at the sidelines of this year’s World Travel Market (WTM).  

“This book encapsulates the depth and breadth of our magnificent and rich marine heritage, and strongly amplifies our country’s proud position as the center of marine biodiversity.  More than enticing global divers to enjoy this God-given gift, this book will drive forward our advocacy on environmental conservation and protection.” Secretary Teo said  at the ExCel Convention Centre in London on 08 November 2016.

According to her, the Department of Tourism (DOT) is doubling its efforts to position the Philippines as a sports tourism hub, banking on the country’s growing niche markets such as diving and marine sports.

While latest data from DOT show that the Philippine diving industry only makes up 1.7 percent market share of the 7.3 million active divers worldwide, country draws a strong following from diving enthusiasts and environment advocates for possessing  97,030 hectares of waters and reefs comprising Southeast Asia’s only purely marine UNESCO World Heritage Site. The country is also proud for it being declared an ASEAN Heritage Site and a Flyway Network Site.

The Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park was established in 1988 by then Philippine President Corazon Aquino. It exists as a wonderful testimony of biodiversity being home to 600 species of fish, 360 species of corals (half of all the coral species in the world), 21 species of sharks, skates and rays, 13 species of dolphins and whales, and two of seven species of marine turtles, namely the hawkbill and green.  It is also an important source of livelihood and is a revenue generator being a leading dive tourism site.

The Tubbataha:  A National Treasure coffee table book is published by  Marissa Floirendo of the Don Antonio O. Floirendo, Sr. Foundation (AOF) with photos  by Maria Teresa "Tet" Lara.  (VerGarciaBlogs)