Kuala Lumpur, 08 June 2024 - The Philippine Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) led a strong delegation of leading dive resorts and providers to the 18th Malaysia International Dive Expo (MIDE 2024) being held from 07 to 09 June 2024 at The Malaysia International Trade & Exhibition Center (MITEC) in Kuala Lumpur.

 

The eleven (11) Philippine participants are Atlantis Dive Resorts & Liveaboard, Cebu Pacific Air, Dauin Silver Reef Dive Resort, El Galleon Resort / Asia Divers, Lalaguna Villas Luxury Dive Resort and Spa, Philippine Airlines, Quasar Travel & Tours, Scandi Divers (Scandinavian Divers Inc), Sierra Madre Divers Dive Center Inc, Thresher Shark Divers, and Ticao Island Resort (Donsol Eco Tour Inc).

 

Malaysian Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture YB Khairul Firdaus bin Akbar Khan was the exhibition’s chief guest. Philippine Ambassador Maria Angela Ponce, Maldives High Commissioner-Designate Dr. Mariyam Shabeena Ahmed, YM Tungku Datuk Dr Hishamuddin Zaizi Bin Y.A.M Tuanku Bendahara Azman Shah Al-Haj, and MIDE Founder and Organizer Ness Puvanes joined him in opening the exhibition.

 

In his remarks, the Deputy Minister welcomed the World Tourism Organization’s report indicating a significant increase of over 50% in the number of individuals engaging in diving activities since 2000. He emphasized that the Diving Tourism Market is experiencing rapid growth, with operators providing a diverse range of services.

 

Ms Ness Puvanes highlighted that the expo is being held in conjunction with World Oceans Day, which is celebrated annually every 8th of June. As such, the expo includes sessions on marine conservation, saving coral reefs, and also women in diving.

 

Ambassador Ponce congratulated the TPB for winning 2nd place in the Best Booth Design Award. Guided by Ms. Micaela Ochoa TPB Market Specialist for ASEAN & the Pacific, Ms. Gianna Anonuevo TPB International Promotions Department representative and Dato’ Melissa Ong, TPB Malaysia Representative, the Ambassador toured the Philippine booth and was delighted with the positive response of the Malaysian public as evidenced by the strong sales of the Philippine participants. END