Borders Open! Overseas Dive Travel Frenzy — "Already Booked Through Next Year!"
With the pandemic behind us and international travel finally back, "overseas dive travel" was undoubtedly the hottest topic at this year's DRT SHOW. Borders open — so where is everyone rushing off to? Let's take a look!
Philippine Tourism Official Delegation Attends — Itineraries and Resort Info at a Glance
The center of the exhibition hall was instantly transformed into a "Philippine island," as the Philippine Department of Tourism officially led ten dive-related companies to the show! Hazel, president of the Philippine Department of Tourism Taiwan office, said: "We have many operators here this time, including newly opened resorts, which shows how much everyone is looking forward to the Taiwanese market. We hope more people will come to the Philippines and get to know it better." Hazel mentioned that the Philippines has dive-worthy destinations year-round, and that Bohol — as her top pick as a beginner diver herself — is the trip she recommends most, offering the perfect combination of diving and land-based sightseeing.
Hazel (right), president of the Philippine Department of Tourism Taiwan office, says Bohol is the dive trip she recommends most!
Hazel also highlighted the newly opened Starboard Diving Resort, located in Batangas province, which focuses on a relaxed, slow-paced holiday experience — perfect for pairing with other Philippine diving itineraries. The resort offers unlimited complimentary shore dives and one boat dive, or the option to purchase a boat dive package with a group of four, providing flexible options for all kinds of travelers.
The Philippine Department of Tourism officially led ten dive-related companies to the show, drawing large crowds.
What's the Island Craze All About? Beginner, Big Animals, or Macro — Take Your Pick
"海島瘋," making its DRT SHOW debut, has bases in Taipei, Kenting, and the Philippines. More than just a dive shop, it is also a licensed Class-A travel agency, offering a wide range of dive itineraries to satisfy every type of ocean enthusiast!
Director Ying-jie shared that the "Bohol — Jackfish Tornado" trip — designed with budget-conscious travelers in mind — was the most inquired-about itinerary at the show. The five-day, four-night, eight-dive package promises encounters surrounded by swirling vortexes of jackfish and barracuda, with the added chance of spotting a wild Whale Shark! Ying-jie noted that March to mid-June is the best period for weather and sea conditions in Bohol. Combined with a starting price of NT$13,800, the trip attracted plenty of eager divers ready to "take off right now."
The jackfish tornado is absolutely one of Bohol's must-see spectacles!
Other popular Philippine itineraries included exploring shipwrecks and dugongs in northern Coron, hunting for macro subjects in Dumaguete, and heading to Malapascua — famous for its high chances of encountering Thresher Sharks alongside rich macro marine life. In Indonesia, Nusa Penida off Bali, billed as a "guaranteed manta ray" experience, was also a crowd favorite. In addition, 海島瘋 announced this year's exclusive agency partnership with DUNE Group liveaboard itineraries — particularly spotlighting the DUNE AURORA, which offers liveaboard trips to hidden gems across Raja Ampat, Komodo, and the Banda Sea in Indonesia, greatly expanding liveaboard options for divers.
The Ultimate Maldives Liveaboard? Hotel-Grade Comfort, Superyacht Specs!
For divers who want to explore the Maldives to the fullest in total comfort, a liveaboard is often the top choice. This year, the luxury Maldives liveaboard INFINITY X sent its top executive, General Manager Yansong Bi, to attend DRT SHOW in person, eager to introduce what he calls "the pinnacle of the liveaboard world" to Taiwanese travelers.
The pinnacle of the liveaboard world — eat, drink, play, and dive, all on one vessel.
On the hardware side, the vessel holds international hull fire-resistance certification to the "A60 fire standard" and meets superyacht noise-reduction standards, keeping noise levels below 50 decibels for a supremely comfortable journey. "This boat is so stable, you don't even realize it's moving while you're in the shower" — a genuine testimonial from a past passenger! And comfort isn't the only draw: General Manager Yansong Bi went on to introduce on-board entertainment facilities including an exclusive open-sea stargazing KTV, Jacuzzi, speedboat, banana boat, and large water slide.
The most popular itinerary is the Deep South route, where divers can encounter Tiger Sharks, silvertip sharks, and other large pelagics in impressive numbers. However, due to the influence of weather, currents, and tides, optimal diving conditions on this route are only available from February to March each year, making it especially coveted. The more season-independent option is the Four-Direction route. The operator also revealed that INFINITY X bookings are already 50% full through next year — a testament to its soaring popularity.
Finishing a dive and lounging on deck watching the sunset — truly one of life's great pleasures!
DRT SHOW's Golden Triangle! Cat Island Lucky Draw Scores Dive Computers and Regulators
Over the three-day show, BlueTrend prepared prizes totaling over NT$700,000 to share the excitement with visitors. One lucky diver who had been looking to buy long fins (freediving) even won a pair on the spot and was moved to tears of joy. This year, BlueTrend also teamed up with neighboring exhibitors YHS 裕信 and ATMOS to host a joint challenge activity, with major prizes including the ATMOS MISSION2, a YHS 裕信 regulator, and a one-day experience in the Penghu Aquarium's open-ocean tank — turning the three booths into the show's most popular golden triangle.
BlueTrend, YHS 裕信, and ATMOS — three booths forming the show's most popular golden triangle.
BlueTrend brought a booth mini-game to the show and offered a sneak preview of a brand-new board game set to launch mid-year: "Meow! I Have an Island" — a game that explores tourism development while integrating themes of marine conservation.
The brand-new board game combining marine conservation and tourism development discussions was brought to DRT SHOW for visitors to try.
Over 30 Ocean Talks Spanning Conservation, Photography, and Dive Safety
DRT SHOW featured two main stages, and over the three days of the exhibition, 33 expert speakers delivered more than 30 back-to-back ocean talks. Huang Xiang-wen, Director of the Ocean Affairs Council, joined colleagues from ocean environment management and marine life conservation divisions to share insights on marine conservation. Renowned photographer Jin Lei spoke about the Ocean Oasis project and the mating competition of Risso's dolphins. BlueTrend founder Spark represented GARMIN to discuss "Your last line of safety when adrift at sea." The packed lineup of ocean talks brought the diving community together to learn and grow.
"Your last line of safety when adrift at sea." — have you learned what to do?
Of course, the official closing lucky draw drew a sea of enthusiastic attendees, showcasing the passion of the diving community. The 2023 DRT SHOW Taiwan edition concluded successfully, welcoming a total of 32,313 visitors. The show will continue rolling out in Shanghai, the Philippines, and Hong Kong!
The 2023 DRT SHOW Taiwan edition concluded successfully on March 12, 2023.
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