Palawan voted 'world's best island' for 2017

MANILA – The tropical paradise of Palawan in the Philippines was once again voted the “world’s best island” by readers of Travel + Leisure magazine.

Palawan ranked first in Travel + Leisure’s World Best Island list for 2017, which is based on readers’ ratings, getting a score of 93.15. 

It landed the No. 1 spot last year and in 2013.

“There’s nothing quite like immersing yourself in the natural wonders of this Philippine archipelago, which many of our readers described as ‘rustic,’ ‘romantic,’ ‘affordable’ and ‘relaxing.’ As one fan succinctly wrote, ‘it’s the single most beautiful place on earth,’” Travel + Leisure writer Rebecca Ascher-Walsh said in an article published on Tuesday, referring to Palawan.

Another popular destination in the Philippines, Boracay, made it to No. 3 in Travel + Leisure’s list this year with a score of 89.67. 

The island, known as the country’s summer party capital, ranked second in 2016.

Here’s the complete list:

1. Palawan, Philippines (93.15)
2. Hilton Head Island, South Carolina (90.83)
3. Boracay, Philippines (89.67)
4. Galapagos Islands, Ecuador (89.20)
5. Santorini, Greece (89.19)
6. Maui, Hawaii (89.17)
7. Kauai, Hawaii (88.72)
8. Ischia, Italy (88.53)
9. Hvar and the Dalmatian Islands, Croatia (87.75)
10. Bali, Indonesia (87.61)

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Palawan lands Travel + Leisure US cover

MANILA – Palawan made it to the cover of Travel + Leisure magazine's World’s Best Awards August issue, where it was named best island in the world.

The cover photo of a sandbar in Palawan's El Nido Resorts was shot by Filipino photographer Francisco Guerrero, whose works have landed the covers of previous issues of both Travel + Leisure and Conde Nast Traveller.

The cover story on Palawan shows the image of the famed Big Lagoon of Miniloc Island, one of the major highlights in the scenic Bacuit Bay in El Nido.

“It is with great pride that El Nido Resorts was chosen as the cover of the Travel + Leisure US’s World’s Best Awards 2013 Issue this August. It brings recognition not only to our resorts and all the staff who have formed part of the protection and preservation of its natural beauty, but also to Palawan and the Philippines. It certainly gives a boost to the Department of Tourism’s efforts in showing the world that ‘It’s More Fun in the Philippines,’ as it reaches an even larger market,” Laurent Lamasuta, president of El Nido Resorts, said in a statement released on Monday.



El Nido has been drawing attention from the world travel industry for its efforts in leading the protection of the environment and enriching the lives of the local community. It was recently given the Tourism for Tomorrow Community Benefit Award by the World Travel & Tourism Council earlier this year.

Before winning this prestigious award, El Nido Resorts was also named by The Wall Street Journal Magazine as the “Philippines’s best-kept travel secret,” CNN’s “9 Top Beach Resorts in South China Sea,” and The New York Times’ “Destinations to watch this 2013.” Pangulasian Island, the group’s newest resort, was named one of the Best New Hotels in the World by Conde Nast Traveller.

El Nido, Palawan also served as one of the locations during the Philippine shoot of the Hollywood hit movie, "The Bourne Legacy," last year.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com