An annual survey of the world’s best destinations by a New York-based travel magazine ranked Cebu as 7th among the top islands in Asia.
The World’s Best Awards survey of Travel + Leisure magazine also ranked Palawan 2nd and Boracay 9th. Palawan also made it to the 15 Best Islands in the World list, still landing in 2nd place.
The magazine said these three islands in the Philippines - Palawan, Cebu and Boracay - are “longtime favorites” of its readers, “thanks to top-notch reef and wreck diving, white-sand beaches, hiking trails with waterfalls, and welcoming locals.”
The survey asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe and rate the top cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more.
Islands are rated according to their activities and sights, natural attractions and beaches, food, friendliness, and overall value.
"We are thrilled that Palawan has improved its ranking this year and is inching closer to regaining its top spot in T+L's World's Best Awards. Hats off as well to Cebu and Boracay for being recognized among the best in Asia," Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said in a statement.
"This citation by a major publication validates our efforts towards attaining a sustainable tourism industry and now, more than ever, encourages the DOT to work even harder on this advocacy, creating a tourism environment that is recognized and lauded not only today, but for the generations to come," she added. (Ventures Cebu)