Let's compare the Philippines with Indonesia because in terms of the state of the economy, these two countries are almost the same. Why is Indonesia getting more exposure in the US than the Philippines? I did notice that the Philippines gets more European and Asian dive visitors (side note: some end up as stragglers in Pinas).
Here are my theories to the question above:
1. Most local dive shops do not offer comprehensive packages through major North American dive travel agencies. I only know of one or two dive resorts that do but what about the rest? Indonesia's dive sites are well known by a lot of North American dive enthusiasts. And, most dive travel agencies offer packages to Indonesia.
2. A lot of dive shops are owned by either Europeans or Asians of other nationalities aside from Filipino. They tend to advertise in their native countries, mostly by word of mouth. For some reason (this is just my observation), the Philippines gets more advertising exposure in Europe, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan.
3. We undercharge our dive services to foreign visitors. I believe, there is not that much overhead to be able to afford advertising or marketing our services. To a typical North American or European or Japanese, the rates the local dive shop offer is a basement bargain price. For example, A two-tank dive in Mexico costs around $65 or $75. I believe it is lower in the Philippines. But why are we doing this? If we can provide a comparable or even better level of quality of service. If we charge the correct (i.e. North American or European standard rate, we'll have more money to allow for advertising and marketing. In Mexico, the locals seem get a special Mexican rate to enjoy the resorts normally visited by foreign visitors. We can do the same locally so Filipinos would be able to afford to stay and dive with local resorts/shops frequently visited by foreign visitors. But, since we do not have a national ID system or even a reliable system with a reliable ID card, there is no way to tell if you are indeed a local or a foreign free-loader.
If the local dive shops do charge a comparable fee as the one I quoted above, the shop owners should have a budget for advertising and marketing. With that much money in their hands, could the Owners be holding back and why? The cost of living in Pinas is very low so a $65 to $75 two tank dive will have tons of mark-up on it over the actual cost.
4. Is it the local mentality of "pwede na yan" (translated as: 'that's good enough') combined with the "kanya-kanya' (translated as: 'to each his own' or 'I do my stuff and you do yours') and 'bahala na' (translated as: Que Sera-sera) attitude that is stunting the growth of the Philippine Dive Industry? No one is aiming high enough to be world class. Is this a classic case of, "It's just alright that I eat three times a day and have a good business that provides me with a comfortable existence in the tropics." kind of thing?
5. I also blame the Philippine Government's lame promotion of the local Tourism Industry. The Philippines has a lot of potential. Heck, if they do a good job, they can even beat Thailand. Now, Vietnam and Cambodia are fast becoming tourist destinations when a few years ago, no one is even thinking of visting those places. What the hell is wrong?!!!
I may have some more stuff to say but I will stop here for now. This thead is turning into a rant. The theories above are just based on my observation here in North America as well as my knowledge of the Philippines where I grew up. I may be wrong in some areas because I have not worked in a dive shop nor the travel industry so feedback to correct any inaccuracies are welcome. Again, these are just my personal theories and opinions. They are in no way authoritative so don't take them as definitive. I am just trying to start a discussion.
Phil (bisugo767)
Here are my theories to the question above:
1. Most local dive shops do not offer comprehensive packages through major North American dive travel agencies. I only know of one or two dive resorts that do but what about the rest? Indonesia's dive sites are well known by a lot of North American dive enthusiasts. And, most dive travel agencies offer packages to Indonesia.
2. A lot of dive shops are owned by either Europeans or Asians of other nationalities aside from Filipino. They tend to advertise in their native countries, mostly by word of mouth. For some reason (this is just my observation), the Philippines gets more advertising exposure in Europe, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan.
3. We undercharge our dive services to foreign visitors. I believe, there is not that much overhead to be able to afford advertising or marketing our services. To a typical North American or European or Japanese, the rates the local dive shop offer is a basement bargain price. For example, A two-tank dive in Mexico costs around $65 or $75. I believe it is lower in the Philippines. But why are we doing this? If we can provide a comparable or even better level of quality of service. If we charge the correct (i.e. North American or European standard rate, we'll have more money to allow for advertising and marketing. In Mexico, the locals seem get a special Mexican rate to enjoy the resorts normally visited by foreign visitors. We can do the same locally so Filipinos would be able to afford to stay and dive with local resorts/shops frequently visited by foreign visitors. But, since we do not have a national ID system or even a reliable system with a reliable ID card, there is no way to tell if you are indeed a local or a foreign free-loader.
If the local dive shops do charge a comparable fee as the one I quoted above, the shop owners should have a budget for advertising and marketing. With that much money in their hands, could the Owners be holding back and why? The cost of living in Pinas is very low so a $65 to $75 two tank dive will have tons of mark-up on it over the actual cost.
4. Is it the local mentality of "pwede na yan" (translated as: 'that's good enough') combined with the "kanya-kanya' (translated as: 'to each his own' or 'I do my stuff and you do yours') and 'bahala na' (translated as: Que Sera-sera) attitude that is stunting the growth of the Philippine Dive Industry? No one is aiming high enough to be world class. Is this a classic case of, "It's just alright that I eat three times a day and have a good business that provides me with a comfortable existence in the tropics." kind of thing?
5. I also blame the Philippine Government's lame promotion of the local Tourism Industry. The Philippines has a lot of potential. Heck, if they do a good job, they can even beat Thailand. Now, Vietnam and Cambodia are fast becoming tourist destinations when a few years ago, no one is even thinking of visting those places. What the hell is wrong?!!!
I may have some more stuff to say but I will stop here for now. This thead is turning into a rant. The theories above are just based on my observation here in North America as well as my knowledge of the Philippines where I grew up. I may be wrong in some areas because I have not worked in a dive shop nor the travel industry so feedback to correct any inaccuracies are welcome. Again, these are just my personal theories and opinions. They are in no way authoritative so don't take them as definitive. I am just trying to start a discussion.
Phil (bisugo767)
