The Department of Tourism cited the inclusion of two of the country’s prime tourism destinations in the Big 7 Travel’s list of the 50 most beautiful places in the world.
Award-winning tourist sites Palawan and Boracay are eighth and 18th, respectively, in the list, edging some of the world’s strongest contenders and tourist magnets such as Venice, Italy (43rd), Cappadocia, Turkey (30th), Angkor Wat, Cambodia (26th), and Paris, France (24th).
Travel author Melanie Hamilton described Boracay as “one of the world’s top destinations for some R&R (rest and recuperation)," showcasing "tranquil beaches, casual nightlife, and lush tropical scenery."
"The peaceful island also boasts a unique food scene and has managed to maintain its unique Aklanon culture,” she said.
Palawan, for her, is an “immaculate string of islands,” the reason why it has been chosen as one of the world’s best islands for this year.
“Palawan is a fantastic triple threat of diverse wildlife, pristine landscapes, and subterranean marvels. Because of its stretch across the Sulu and South China Seas, it boasts a huge variety of nature from steep limestone cliffs to jaw dropping coves and unbelievable beaches,” she said.
Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said the citation brings immense pride not only to the DoT, but to the entire country as well.
“This recognition comes at an auspicious time, just as our efforts to reopen tourism in Boracay and Palawan to a greater number of tourists have come to fruition,” she said.
The DoT is optimistic that the inclusion in this prestigious list will inspire more people to regain confidence to travel, helping the Philippines' tourism industry to recover after this challenging period.