Contents(10)
- Dive Resorts from Around the World Under One Roof
- Stamp Rally Grand Prize Draw
- Underwater Photography Star Gallery
- Exclusive Events for Ocean Lovers
- Stamp Collection Prize Redemption — Ocean Lovers' Marathon
- Creative Ocean Craft Workshop
- Diving Museum
- Over 28 Ocean Seminars Spanning Conservation, Photography, and Dive Safety
- Related Links
- Further Reading
After a year's wait, the gathering for ocean lovers is back! BlueTrend spotted many familiar faces at the venue this year — what a joy. DRT SHOW is Taiwan's largest diving exhibition, organized by Easy Dive Enterprise Co., Ltd., and has now reached its seventh edition. The 2024 DRT SHOW ran from April 19 to April 22 at the Taipei Expo Floriculture Hall, wrapping up perfectly with a combined total of 34,898 visitors joining the celebration. What were the highlights of this year's DRT SHOW? Let's take a look!
Dive Resorts from Around the World Under One Roof
Upon entering the venue, BlueTrend was immediately drawn to the towering, spectacular booths at the center of the hall — and it turned out to be the Philippine Department of Tourism, joined by as many as 12 dive resorts and dive travel operators. In addition, this year's DRT SHOW also brought together the Okinawa Tourism Bureau, the Palau Tourism Bureau, and representatives from several other countries, making the event livelier than ever.
Among this year's most popular and sought-after packages was the "Bohol – Jackfish Tornado Tour," which can be tailored to individual needs — ranging from 4 days/3 nights with 6 dives to 6 days/5 nights with 9 dives. Beyond Philippine dive itineraries, there were also many other popular options on offer, such as a Thailand Similan Islands liveaboard to explore lush coral gardens, manta ray encounters in Indonesia's Raja Ampat, dugong sightings in North Coron, or macro critter hunting in Dumaguete — a wide variety of choices for visitors to pick according to their own preferences.
The macro superstars of Dumaguete. photo credit：Jenny Tsai
The must-see dugong of Coron. photo credit：海島瘋
To promote exchange between local and international operators, the Philippine Department of Tourism hosted a special industry dinner on the first evening of DRT SHOW, giving businesses the opportunity to get to know one another. This fully demonstrated DRT SHOW's strength as an international diving exhibition — bringing domestic and overseas operators together to foster meaningful connections.
The Philippine Department of Tourism hosted an industry networking dinner during DRT SHOW. Pictured: a representative from 海島瘋 presenting on Bohol dive packages in the Philippines.
Stamp Rally Grand Prize Draw
Every year at DRT SHOW, in addition to the special deals offered by individual exhibitors, BlueTrend rallied five partner organizations across the three-day diving exhibition — the Ocean Affairs Council Ocean Conservation Administration, GARMIN, Scuba YD, Yu Shin Management Consulting Co., Ltd., and 海島瘋 Frangipani Inn — to prepare over 20 prizes, including major items such as a dive computer, a regulator, and a Bohol dive trip, giving visitors a fun stamp-rally challenge to complete for a chance to win great rewards. At the BlueTrend booth, visitors could also DIY their very own marine-life tote bag!
The prize draw brought all the enthusiastic ocean lovers together.
Ocean lovers got hands-on making their own DIY tote bags.
Underwater Photography Star Gallery
One of the most beloved features since the very first edition, the Underwater Photography Star Gallery, returned this year to showcase 80 breathtaking underwater photography works. Each piece on display at the venue transported visitors into the mysterious underwater world alongside the photographers, inviting them to explore the beauty of the deep. The gallery also conveyed each photographer's passion for the ocean, with the hope of inspiring more people to join in and continue protecting our seas.
Image source: DRT SHOW TAIWAN Facebook
Exclusive Events for Ocean Lovers
The 2024 DRT SHOW also planned a series of exclusive activities for ocean lovers, so that in addition to exploring the exhibition floor, visitors could take part in various events and walk away with great prizes!
Stamp Collection Prize Redemption — Ocean Lovers' Marathon
The Ocean Lovers' Marathon brought together liveaboard companies, training agencies, resort centers, dive equipment brands, official tourism bureaus, and NGOs — collect all the stamps and redeem fantastic rewards!
Creative Ocean Craft Workshop
BlueTrend's favorite — the ocean craft workshop. Under the guidance of professional instructors, participants used upcycled materials to create their very own unique and practical ocean-themed handicrafts. Fun and educational all at once, it was a wonderful way to contribute to environmental conservation!
Diving Museum
The diving industry has gradually evolved from its earliest roots into today's accessible, youth-oriented scene. This growth is a testament to the hard work of those who came before. BlueTrend also had the chance to appreciate the historical artifacts left by our predecessors at the venue, rediscovering the diving activity we all love from a brand-new perspective — truly fascinating!
Image source: DRT SHOW TAIWAN Facebook
Over 28 Ocean Seminars Spanning Conservation, Photography, and Dive Safety
Beyond the fun and exploration on the exhibition floor, the 2024 DRT SHOW invited 28 expert speakers across three days, with more than 28 ocean seminars presented one after another. Highlights included CREST founder Brad Chen sharing the story behind the organization, Jimmy Cheng (Director of Jimmy Cheng Underwater Photography Studio) sharing underwater shooting techniques, and BlueTrend founder Spark representing GARMIN to discuss "Crown-of-Thorns Starfish Ecology and How to Enhance Safety in Marine Research." Ocean lovers gathered together, sharing knowledge across a wide range of themes and topics.
BlueTrend founder sharing the ecology of crown-of-thorns starfish.
This grand gathering for ocean lovers — beyond the prize draws and incredible deals — is above all an event that brings a sea of passionate divers together every year. The 2024 DRT SHOW's cumulative attendance of 34,898 visitors once again bears witness to the boundless enthusiasm of the ocean community. With the Taiwan edition now successfully concluded, events in Shenzhen, Beijing, the Philippines, and Hong Kong are set to follow in succession!
Related Links
Further Reading
