Palawan Awarded as Best Island in the World in 2020

Our country is famous for many things, but the qualities that excite people and foreigners the most is the fact that we have a ton of different beaches, natural scenic places, and the like. In addition to that, one of the provinces that have been considered as the top tourist destinations is none other than Palawan – the island of Palawan.

Palawan Voted as the Best Island in the World
This image was taken from The Philippine Daily Inquirer | Inquirer.net

Due to the island’s terrific landscape and gorgeous beaches, the New York-based Travel+Leisure magazine has once again regarded Palawan as the “best island in the world.” It garners and wins by popular vote. The island placed at the top rank with a score of 94.84 from the Travel+Leisure readers.

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Palawan has been relegated this same title thrice, in 2017, 2016, and 2013. No wonder why many foreigners and beach lovers frequent it.

World’s Best Awards

Every year, the travel magazine conducts a survey upon its readers for its “World’s Best Awards” to share their take and opinions on the top cities, islands, spas, airlines and more, according to the magazine’s most recent report.

The travel readers take in to account the quality of the beaches, their activities, sights, natural attractions, food, the friendliness of the locals; as well as the overall value of the island before rating the nominees.

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The magazine listed the top 25 islands, which represented six (6) continents around the globe – and our Palawan topped it.

How Palawan Rose to Fame

A writer from the travel magazine states that Palawan attributes its charms in being the best island in 2020 due to the World War II wrecks, explore old-growth rain forests, and paddle one of the world’s longest subterranean rivers at Puerto Princesa.

Travel+Leisure writer Sara Clemence writes of Palawan: “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.”

Through a Facebook post on Thursday, July 9, the Department of Tourism (DOT) expressed its joy upon the title being relegated towards the island.

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Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said that the top rank was Palawan’s reclamation of the title. The fact that it has been voted to be the best, should make all Filipinos proud of what it has been; and the nomination wasn’t from a local company – it was from an international company which means higher standards.

Palawan reclaimed its rightful place in the World’s Best Awards. The citation as the Best Island in the World is all the more important because this is voted upon by the readers of the prominent Travel + Leisure (T+L) magazine.”

Puyat also expressed her gratitude towards the tourists that received the island’s rehabilitation and development efforts well. She adds that it is the most wonderful to see and witness the development; it’s like seeing their efforts growing and becoming better.

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.”

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Boracay to Have Made Into the “World’s Best Island” List as Well

If you’ve been living in the country long enough, then you know how much foreigners love Boracay. It’s a place, a destination that hosts a lot of different events and parties – and it’s just not for sceniec and for tourism purposes.

Boracay is another popular tourist destination in the country; and it celebrated the 14th spot of the magazine’s “World’s Best Island” list. It is named the fifth-best island in Asia this year as well.

The DOT, likewise, claimed that this has been the third time that the Philippines has gotten recognition since quarantine measures have been effective in different areas of the world due to the COVID-19 crisis.

American business magazine Forbes listed the Philippines among the seven countries with the potential to be “a major tourist destination in a post-COVID world.” The Hidden Beach in El Nido, Palawan, was also hailed as one of the “30 Best Beaches in the World” by lifestyle travel magazine Condé Nast Traveler.

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Furthermore, Palawan is truly a beauty to behold. If you haven’t seen it, we recommend that you do; after the pandemic, of course. You’ll see amazing stuff that you wouldn’t be able to see elsewhere!

What do you think of Palawan being relegated as the best island in the world yet again? Have you been to Palawan? If yes, what are your experiences and do you agree with it being the best? Moreover, do you think that the island is well-deserved to have been given the title? Let us know about what your thoughts are!

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