ILOILO CITY – World-famous Boracay Island in Malay town, Aklan province was cited as the 5th Best Island Destination in Asia in the 2023 DestinAsian Readers’ Choice Award.
The Department of Tourism (DOT) said the award will boost tourism recovery not only in Aklan but also in Western Visayas.
“This new recognition will boost the tourism recovery and growth not just of Aklan, but the whole region as well,” said DOT-6 Director Crisanta Marlene Rodriguez.
Bali, Indonesia is the top Asian island destination, according to DestinAsian. Phuket and Koh Samoi in Thailand round the Top 5 island destinations by DestinAsian in the region.
Travel restrictions as a result of the pandemic in early 2020 had a negative impact on Boracay but tourist arrivals had picked up last year.
More than 1.75 million tourists visited the resort-island in 2022.
Last year, Boracay was included in Time Magazine’s 50 World’s Greatest Places and the World’s Best Islands in the Conde Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Award.