Over the years, the Editor has interviewed dive instructors, underwater photography masters, and resort operators — all of whom spoke candidly about their fields, giving the Editor an instant crash course in the diving industry. This time, we are thrilled to serve as a media co-organizer for the 2019 Taiwan DRT SHOW, and we had the privilege of sitting down for an exclusive interview with DRT SHOW CEO Jason Chong. We were eager to hear his perspective on Taiwan's diving industry as seen through the eyes of an expo organizer.
The Origins and Vision of DRT SHOW
Jason and his team built relationships with many industry suppliers through their diving magazine EZDIVE, and one day an idea struck: what if there were a way to bring all these suppliers together — a platform where vendors and customers could meet face to face? At the same time, Taiwan lacked a dedicated professional dive expo. And so DRT SHOW was born.
The strong team behind DRT SHOW
DRT SHOW is an acronym for Diving, Resort, and Travel — reflecting a full ecosystem of services radiating outward from diving at its core, with the goal of offering consumers the most comprehensive dive-related information possible. After years of preparation, DRT SHOW established its base in the Greater China region and gradually expanded across Asia. In recent years it has partnered with dive expos in numerous regions to deliver broader services to exhibitors and build a stronger industry platform — including the Middle East Dive & Fish Expo in Dubai, the Moscow Dive Show in Russia, DEEP & EXTREME Indonesia, and the Thailand Dive Expo (TDEX).
Beyond providing a professional platform for vendors to showcase their products, DRT SHOW enhances the event's value through lifestyle programming such as photography competitions and keynote speaker sessions, turning the expo into a true diving carnival. Each edition draws ocean enthusiasts from all corners of Taiwan. Running into friends who are normally scattered across the country is a cherished memory shared by divers everywhere — so calling DRT SHOW one giant ocean-lovers' reunion is not far off the mark (laughs).
The expert seminars held at each expo are always a highlight
Taiwan's Diving Market: Slow but Steady Growth
To understand an industry, you first have to understand its history. In countries around the world, the diving industry grew out of military diving. In the Asia-Pacific region, Japan, Singapore, and Hong Kong were the first to develop commercial diving cultures. Thanks to the dynamics of World War II, the military powers of the United States and Japan poured enormous resources into underwater engineering and combat, giving those three countries a deep-rooted foundation in diving. Taiwan's diving industry traces its origins to the Japanese colonial era, when the Japanese government also invested resources in developing military diving here. After Japan's defeat, related skills were passed down through an apprenticeship system to Taiwanese trainees of that era.
As Taiwan's economy grew, rising per-capita incomes and the introduction of international certification systems allowed diving to evolve from a military discipline into a leisure activity accessible to the general public. A wide variety of certification systems entered Taiwan in rapid succession — beyond the well-known PADI (certification agency), agencies such as SDI (certification agency)/TDI (certification agency) and DIWA offered consumers diverse teaching philosophies and course options. Nevertheless, Jason believes that compared to other countries — especially mainland China — Taiwan's diving industry has grown at a relatively measured pace in recent years, primarily because the broader economic climate has dampened people's enthusiasm for ocean recreation. That said, the proliferation of social media and affordable underwater camera equipment has drawn more and more young people into the fold. Beyond scuba diving, freediving and the mermaid trend have become synonymous with ocean aesthetics on Instagram.
The diver community has grown steadily alongside the rise of social media
The Opportunities and Challenges of Developing Dive Tourism in Taiwan
Many Taiwanese divers choose not to dive locally for various reasons — comfort during dives, the absence of large pelagic encounters, and so on. Yet after organizing so many dive expos and getting to know operators from around the world, Jason remains consistently optimistic about Taiwan's potential as a dive destination.
- Marine life found in Southeast Asia "should" also be found in Taiwan
- Rich biodiversity offers visitors a wide variety of experiences
- Visibility in certain Taiwanese waters rivals — and sometimes surpasses — that of other dive destinations
Even so, overfishing and the resulting depletion of marine life are undeniable realities that cannot be ignored.
At the very beginning of developing an "industry," the government plays a pivotal role — it should introduce legislation to regulate and guide that development.
In many countries, national and local governments actively legislate to promote the diving industry — for example by designating marine protected areas (MPAs), implementing visitor caps, or collecting marine conservation fees, all of which allow underwater ecosystems to develop sustainably without being overwhelmed by viral tourist itineraries that push fragile marine environments beyond their carrying capacity. A thriving industry also requires vertical integration across the supply chain. The Philippine Department of Tourism, for instance, organizes national-level investment roadshows, bringing together airlines, resorts, and dive operators to offer integrated packages — something Taiwan's diving industry still lacks. Taiwan may appear open for business, but its policies toward foreign investment are comparatively conservative. Without attracting international capital and services, it will remain difficult to draw world-class dive travelers.
Ocean-Inspired Creative Culture: The Next Frontier for Young Taiwanese?
DRT SHOW has worked hard in recent years to provide a stage for young ocean-inspired creative entrepreneurs
Beyond the capital-intensive paths of manufacturing dive equipment or opening a dive shop, young Taiwanese have a real opportunity to explore ocean-themed creative products. Over the past few years, DRT SHOW has actively provided a platform for young creative entrepreneurs, and the results have been impressive. However, Jason also raises a concern. Whether in the creative or dive equipment sector, Taiwanese businesses tend to be seriously lacking in marketing know-how. Taiwan possesses world-class manufacturing capabilities and remarkable innovation, yet companies struggle to gain visibility quickly and capture market share — often watching helplessly as their hard work is imitated.
In his years of running the expo, Jason has witnessed this painful pattern all too often. He strongly encourages businesses to invest just as much energy in marketing, brand-building, and capturing market share as they do in product development. After all, the founding mission of DRT SHOW is to help everyone step out and take on the world together.
Now that you've read the article, grab your dive buddy and join us at this year's DRT Taiwan International Dive & Resort Tourism Expo!
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