China’s potential in dive tourism is immense and set to continue rising in the foreseen future. According to PADI’s recent market report, China is the fastest-growing market in dive tourism. On average, the annual growth rate of newly certified divers in China is 35-40%, much higher than the overall global rate of 10%. The market also shows a strong interest in freediving and mermaid diving.
Before the pandemic, the Diving & Resort Travel (DRT) Expo in Shanghai recorded an average 30% yearly growth rate of exhibitors since 2014; this number jumped to 76% in 2017.
Localising your brand is crucial to breaking down cultural barriers and connecting with the Chinese audience.
At HelloDive, we're passionate about building multi-dimensional connections between brands and Chinese divers. Rather than just translating, we transform your website, social media, and other marketing materials into content that resonates with Chinese travellers. We know how and when to emphasise the details that matter to them. Plus, we offer various Chinese e-wallet options to our customers, so you don't have to worry about setting it up yourself. That way, you can seamlessly enter the market without any roadblocks.
Good customer experiences is key to maintaining growth and building a strong reputation in the Chinese market. To achieve this, it's important to understand the needs and preferences of Chinese divers at every stage of their journey. HelloDive offers training and consultation services to help your team gain the right level of market knowledge and effectively cater to the needs of Chinese divers.
Booking timing can reveal almost as much as destination or product choice. Some Chinese divers commit to a trip months in advance, while others make the decision only weeks before departure - and those different planning windows can reflect very different travel behaviours.
Most international dive operators already know Xiaohongshu (RedNote) matters in China. The bigger question is: what kind of content actually gets Chinese travellers to stop, engage and take interest? We analysed five real, high-performing diving-related posts to see why they worked - and what dive operators can learn from them when creating content for the Chinese market.
How many Chinese guests typically show up together? Based on the past year of bookings on our platform, the answer is: mostly alone, or in twos.
HelloDive participated in Pacific Day 2026 in China, supporting the promotion of Vanuatu as an emerging South Pacific diving destination.
In March, HelloDive was invited to Nadi, Fiji to attend the South Pacific Tourism Exchange (SPTE 2026), with Sales Manager Zoe representing the company at the event. As HelloDive's first participation in SPTE, the conference provided a valuable opportunity to better understand tourism developments across the South Pacific and strengthen relationships with regional industry partners.
In March, the HelloDive team attended the South Pacific Tourism Exchange (SPTE) and undertook a 10-day field trip across Vanuatu. The visit formed part of our broader destination development plans following HelloDive's recent appointment as the exclusive Chinese market partner of Pacific Dive, one of Vanuatu's leading dive operators.
Recently, Jiahao, a member of the HelloDive team, completed a two-month field study across Indonesia. His journey covered core regions including Bali, the Gili Islands, Nusa Lembongan, Tulamben, and Komodo. In addition to meeting face-to-face with local dive shop operators to understand the current market, Jiahao successfully earned his Divemaster (DM) certification. This experience allows us to review products and services from a more practical and professional perspective.
Our booking platform, trip.hellodive.com, has officially reached its first anniversary.