The so-called last frontier Palawan once again secures the number one spot as “World’s Best Island”, topping the 24 other Islands worldwide according to New York based prominent Travel + Leisure magazine.
The ranking was based from the annual survey involving millions of readers conducted by the magazine. The poll ended last March 2, days before the pandemic hits the globe where travel experiences and opinions on travel and leisure differs from today’s situation.
Travel + Leisure writer Sara Clemence described Palawan as “Roughly 270 miles long and just 25 across at its widest point, on a map Palawan looks like an arm extending from the Philippines to Borneo. It’s dramatic at sea level, with mountains rising directly from the ocean palm-edged beaches. Though it’s difficult to reach from many parts of the world, once travelers get there they can dive in World War II wrecks, 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,” wrote one fan. “It offers the most beautiful beaches, resorts, and scenery anywhere.”
Department of Tourism immediately acknowledged the said citation and called for celebration. Tourism Chief Bernadette Romulo Puyat said that this recognition is important because it came from the readers of a prominent magazine.
“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,” Puyat said.
Palawan was a consistent winner for World’s Best Island since 2016 for Travel + Leisure, also in this year’s list is Boracay, which landed on the 14 spot.