UNDERWATER WONDER. DOT Northern Mindanao Director May Salvaña-Unchuan wades through the port pylons teeming with corals in Gingoog, Misamis Oriental. Some of the most pristine and must-visit dive spots in the country can be found in Mindanao. (Photo courtesy of Nico Calo/Director Unchuan)
MANILA – The Philippines got five nominations at the prestigious 28th World Travel Awards, signaling a continued recognition of its top-tier destinations despite the pandemic.
In an announcement on Wednesday night, the Department of Tourism called on all Filipinos and foreign travelers to vote for the country in the following categories:
1. World’s Leading Beach Destination 2021
2. World’s Leading Dive Destination 2021
3. World’s Leading Island Destination 2021 (Siargao Island)
4. World’s Leading Tourist Attraction 2021 (Intramuros)
5. World’s Leading Tourist Board 2021
The public may register for free at www.worldtravelawards.com/vote to cast their votes. Voting closes on October 25 at midnight.
The Philippines is battling Jamaica, Maldives, Thailand, Cancun in Mexico, Maui in Hawaii, Miami Beach and Key West in Florida, Thailand, Diani Beach in Kenya, Galapagos Islands in Ecuador, Peleponnese in Greece, Plettenberg Bay in South Africa, Riviera Maya in Mexico and seven others at WTA's World's Leading Beach Destination category.
It also joins eight other places in the World's Leading Dive Destination category, namely, the Azores Islands, Bora Bora in French Polynesia, Cayman Islands, Fiji, Galapagos Islands, Great Barrier Reef in Australia, Maldives, and Mexico.
In 2020, WTA returnee Intramuros won the World's Leading Tourist Attraction award, besting 15 other destinations, including the Taj Mahal of India, Acropolis of Greece, and the Grand Canyon National Park in the United States.
The country also bagged the leading dive destination award in the same year.
The nominations came as the country slowly reopens its tourism industry to domestic travelers while ensuring health protocols are in place to keep both host communities and tourists safe from the coronavirus.
This October 25, one of its top dive destinations the Camiguin Island in Northern Mindanao is set to open its shores to local travelers. (PNA)
