Palawan named world’s best island for second year in a row

For the second year in a row, the island of Palawan was recognized as the Best Island in the World by leading US travel magazine Conde Nast Traveler in its Readers’ Choice Awards 2015.

Boracay and Cebu also made it to the list’s top 30 Best Islands in the World, ranked 15th and 19th, respectively. Boracay received a readers’ overall rating of 80.856 while Cebu received an overall rating of 80.404.

The results came out Monday, October 19, and was later shared by the Department of Tourism (DOT) on its official Twitter account.

DOT Assistant Secretary Arturo Boncato Jr., in a text message to the Philippines News Agency said that the department was delighted about the recognition given to Palawan by Conde Nast.

“The DOT is continuously focused on developing destinations in the country together with all stakeholders: NGAs, LGUs, private sector, and all our much-valued markets; to exceed expectations in many fronts,” Boncato said.

“…Accolades such as this always comes as a pleasant surprise. And a great push to continue working for the industry and the country,” he added.

Palawan received the highest readers’ overall rating of 85.937 for being “home to one of the new seven natural wonders of the world, Puerto Princesa Subterranean River.”

“Palawan’s natural wonder is one of the longest underground rivers in the world, traveling five miles through a subterranean cave system,” Conde Nast pointed out.

“Guided boat tours take visitors down a portion of the waterway, where karsts, natural rock formations created by dissolving limestone, loom in every direction,” it added.

The magazine meanwhile took note of Boracay being “as close to the tropical idyll as you’ll find in Southeast Asia, with gentle coastlines and transporting sunsets.”

It also mentioned Boracay’s “thriving nightlife scene,” and its White Beach, describing it as “Boracay’s main draw with powdery white sand and shallow azure water ideal for swimming and snorkeling.”