DOT will soon launch a new tourism product offering called bonfire diving. DOT-Region 10 

MANILA — The Philippines is set to introduce a new tourism product that was created by a Filipino — and that’s bonfire diving.

At the sideline of the Philippine Travel Exchange in Pasay, Tourism Promotions Board Chief Operating Officer Maria Margarita Nograles revealed that the Tourism department could soon include bonfire diving in its list of tourism products or offerings.

PH wins 7 awards at 31st World Tourism Awards Asia and Oceania

Bonfire diving was created by diving photographer Ram Yoro in 2015 and he said it has attracted several foreign divers and photographers in recent years. It refers to diving at night in shallow waters with light to attract planktons and other species, which is then good for diving photography.

“They now are looking for something new to try and blackwater and bonfire are perfect for that. Because you have the same skills set for macro shooting, so meron na sila nun, but yung plethora ng subjects are different. Planktons usually look otherworldly,” said Yoro.

DOT will soon launch a new tourism product offering called bonfire diving. DOT-Region 10 

He added in jest that there is no literal fire in bonfire diving, but lights are set up to capture under sea at night, similar to blackwater diving. Yoro said bonfire diving is easier to do and is just in the shallow part of the sea.

PH books more than 3 million tourist arrivals in first half

Bonfire diving will be formally unveiled at the Camiguin Diving Festival this month. May Unchuan, Regional Director of the Department of Tourism Region 10, said bonfire diving would be good option for many tourists especially since the country is already known as among the best diving spots in the world. Now, she said tourists can also dive at night with proper training and supervision.

“They’ve been practicing this in Anilao and it’s becoming quite popular in the Philippines. Yung pinakamaganda dito talagang Pilipino ang nag develop,” Unchuan said.

Yoro is expected to meet with Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco to discuss ways how bonfire diving can be incorporated into the Philippines’ tourism offerings.

DOT will soon launch a new tourism product offering called bonfire diving. DOT-Region 10 

Nograles said the DOT is pushing for experiential tourism. She said beaches remain a top destination, but many visitors are now looking to experience the country’s culture more. Part of the activities at the Philippine Travel Exchange is to know the preferences of global tourists and how local tour operators can create meaningful experiences.

“They are really looking to see more experiential travel into the Philippines… Experiences into our indigenous communities, our culture, experiences into learning a skill, maybe learning how to cook, the English language, they love that- learning the English language in the Philippines,” said Nograles.

TPB now hopes to surpass last year’s sales at PHITEX which was recorded at around P250 million. Nearly 100 global buyers from about 20 countries joined the event with over 100 local tour operators, hotels, and other tour groups.