Celebrating the acquisition of more than 100 competitor stores across 47 countries and welcoming 220 new stores to their global membership in 2025 alone, PADI® continues to grow their Retail and Resort Membership as they approach their 60th anniversary as the premier diving organization.
“As our organization continues to elevate the demand for diver certifications around the globe, there has never been a more opportune time to be a PADI Retail and Resort Member,” says Kristin Valette Wirth, Chief Brand and Membership Officer at PADI Worldwide. “We welcome these industry-leading dive operations that have joined our global membership of 6,600 PADI Dive Centers and Resorts in over 180 countries, who together will continue the legacy of seeking adventure and saving the ocean.”
Key drivers for numerous business owners’ decision to align with PADI this year are reflected in the findings of the 2025 Dive Industry Study by Boston Consulting Group (BCG), which show that PADI Dive Centers and Resorts are not only the most recognized and respected globally, but that they are also the most successful. The study’s data confirms that partnering with PADI leads to real business growth, with the average PADI Member earning US$186K more in 2024 than those who were not affiliated with the world’s largest scuba diving organization.
“These findings validate that the PADI brand, along with its training and marketing programs, helps dive centers thrive,” continues Valette Wirth. “Being a PADI Member is a profitable business strategy. Through global awareness, best-in-class training, and unmatched business and marketing tools, the PADI organization helps members not only succeed, but lead in their market.”
Recognizing the real challenges business owners face, PADI is dedicated to helping members overcome obstacles and achieve lasting success. Recent examples of dive centers that have joined PADI and noticed an immediate impact include:
- Outside the Asylum (USA), who has already seen a large increase in students booking classes since converting to PADI in what had otherwise been a challenging year.
“The biggest reason we have chosen PADI is that PADI makes the phone ring,” explains CEO of OTA Scuba & Swim Morad Hassan.
“I have had at least a dozen classes in the last month that were simply a phone call asking if we taught PADI classes, and when we say yes, they sign up for the class over the phone and then visit our store to purchase more products. I would say half of my sales last month were directly correlated to us being a PADI Dive Center again. I no longer have to convince people to sign up, and selling classes has gotten kind of boring, actually. We believe that next year will now be one of our best years certification-wise.”
- Atlantis Diving PRO Lanzarote (Spain), whose CEO Nuria Olive Soler emphasizes that their reason for returning is because “PADI remains the global benchmark in diving, with an impact that transcends education and extends into the industry, sustainability, and the global community.”
“I’ve returned because I firmly believe in PADI’s ability to inspire trust, connect continents, and provide a solid structure that helps dive centers grow. I’ve already felt that strength even before the official transition: international visibility, immediate recognition from divers, and the close, human support of the PADI team,” continues Soler.
“I’m rejoining PADI’s mission because I feel it represents exactly what I’ve stood for throughout my professional life — teaching diving with purpose, respect for the ocean, and the desire to form conscious individuals, not just certified divers.”
- Tulamben Dive (Indonesia) highlighted that the transition to PADI has bolstered both their team’s confidence and new diver acquisition, especially in the Chinese market.
“Our experience with PADI has been very easy and highly professional, with the training materials and eLearning platforms being detailed, comprehensive, and giving our divers great confidence in their learning,” says Tulamben Dive owner Ketut Rasmiana.
“We are also very appreciative of the business and marketing support PADI provides, which helps us attract new divers. We are proud to work with PADI and look forward to continuing this partnership for many years to come.”
To learn more about the benefits of PADI Membership and join the world’s largest diving organization, visit the PADI DEMA Booth #903 or contact your PADI Regional Office.
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