THE Island Garden City of Samal (Igacos) is the top diving destination in Davao Region because of its well-known and numerous diving spots, Department of Tourism (DOT)-Davao Regional Director Tanya Rabat-Tan said.

Igacos has at least 14 dive sites and counting, with four new sites recently introduced on May 28 during the Samal Dive Fest. These new dive sites are in Auntood, Ligid D, Aundanao, and Purok 7.

Tan said Samal still has many dive sites to offer thus they continue to validate different locations.

“Samal Island is the top destination for diving. We have so many dive sites. We have around 14 but actually marami pa, it’s really more than 14,” she said during the Kapehan sa Dabaw press conference on June 20.

Because of this, Igacos and its dive sites will be promoted during the first-ever Davao Dive Expo on June 24 to 26, 2022 at SM Lanang Premier.

The three-day event, she said, is an opportunity to promote the dive sector of Davao Region and highlight other rising dive sites such as the Davao Oriental province with promising dive sites in Mati City and the municipalities of Governor Generoso and Tarragona.

At least eight exhibitors are expected to participate in the expo, which will be a mix of local and independent dive shops, partners from local government units promoting tourist and dive sites, and other allied services to showcase their products and services.

“This is a means to promote and revive the diving activities in Davao Region but apart from that, we also want to create awareness and appreciation,” Tan said.

The expo will also hold exhibits of underwater photos and forums on marine conservation and protection, said Tan. Different tourism circuits will also be promoted as they also include different dive spots in the five provinces of the region.

Through this event, DOT-Davao hopes that Davao Region will gain momentum and take its place as one of the top diving destinations in the country.