The island province of Palawan has reclaimed its top spot as the Best Island in the World for this year.
The newest distinction was cited by the world-renowned travel publication Travel + Leisure, which now makes Palawan as a four-time winner of the said award.
With its mesmerizing lagoons hidden behind the majestic limestone cliffs, not to mention its turquoise crystal-clear waters and mountains rising directly from the ocean palm-edged beaches, Palawan first earned the same distinction in 2013, followed by a back-to-back citation in 2016 and 2017.
Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat applauded this achievement, citing its importance as the distinction was voted by the readers of the prominent magazine.
According to Travel + Leisure writer Sara Clemence, the World’s Best Awards survey was conducted prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey closed on March 2, just before the widespread stay-at-home orders were implemented. Hence, she said, the result reflect the readers’ experiences before the ongoing global health crisis.
Clemence described Palawan as a place where travelers could enjoy the haunting beauty of World War II wrecks underwater, as well as “explore old-growth rain forests, and paddle one of the world’s longest subterranean rivers at Puerto Princesa.”
“The landscape and scenery are just gorgeous. It offers the most beautiful beaches, resorts, and scenery anywhere,” she furthered.
Puyat said that the government’s efforts in rehabilitating Palawan in 2018 all materialized following the recognition.
“It’s wonderful to see that our rehabilitation and sustainable development efforts last year, especially in El Nido and Coron, were well-received by tourists everywhere,” she added.
The famed Boracay Island, which was the first to undergo a massive rehabilitation two years ago, also made it to Number 14 in the Travel + Leisure’s 2020 Top 25 Islands in the World.
Surprisingly, both the two Philippine travel destinations surpassed other popular holiday getaways like Bali, Indonesia and Bora-Bora, French Polynesia, which earned the 17th and the 25th spots, respectively.
Clemence said the choice of the top islands across the globe has varying degrees of diversity in terms of climate, natural attractions, appealing resorts, and overall value, just to name a few.
In addition, the DOT said this is the third citation reaped by the Philippines since the imposition of lockdowns in several countries due to the dreaded coronavirus disease.
Forbes magazine earlier ranked the Philippines among the seven countries “that have the potential to become a major tourist destination in a post-COVID world’. Last month, the prestigious Condé Nast Traveler (CNT) also cited the “Hidden Beach” in El Nido, Palawan, as one of the 30 Best Beaches in the World.
Currently, the DOT is ramping up its efforts to revive the heavily distressed industry by prioritizing the gradual reopening of the domestic tourism economy.