MANILA – Palawan and Boracay, two of the Philippines' famous destinations, were cited anew, this time as among the 50 "most beautiful places in the world" by Big Seven Travel.
The global travel site ranked Palawan in eighth place, praising its "immaculate string of islands".
"Palawan is a fantastic triple threat of diverse wildlife, pristine landscapes, and subterranean marvels. Because of its stretch across the Sulu and South China seas, it boasts a huge variety of nature from steep limestone cliffs to jawdropping coves and unbelievable beaches," it wrote.
Meanwhile, Boracay, which is known for its four-kilometer white sand beach, ranked 18th. According to Big Seven Travel, the resort island is one of the world’s top destinations for rest and recreation.
"Tranquil beaches, casual nightlife, and lush tropical scenery make it easy to see why. The peaceful island also boasts a unique food scene and has managed to maintain its unique Aklanon culture," it said.
Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat welcomed the citation, saying it brings immense pride not only to the government but to the entire country as well.
"This recognition comes at an auspicious time, just as our efforts to reopen tourism in Boracay and Palawan to a greater number of tourists have come to fruition," she said in a statement.
"The DOT is optimistic that the inclusion in this prestigious list will inspire more people to regain the confidence to travel, helping the Philippines' tourism industry to recover after this challenging period," she added.
The tourism chief also assured that the DOT remains committed to restarting tourism especially in its premiere destinations with health and safety protocols in place to ensure the well-being of tourists.
Boracay opened its shores to domestic tourists, including from those in areas under general community quarantine last October 1. Palawan, on the other hand, is currently assessing its El Nido-Manila travel bubble launched in July 2020 and expanded on Friday. (PNA)
