PH cited ‘world’s leading best dive, beach destination’ in ‘22

THE Philippines is the “world’s leading beach and dive destination for 2022,” according to an award-giving body in the travel and tourism industry.

“These global victories for the Philippines evince the unparalleled beauty of our country and the distinct warmth of the Filipino people,” Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said in a statement Monday night, after the Philippines was

honored at the 29th World Travel Awards (WTA) Grand Final Gala Ceremony in Muscat, Oman last November 11.

The Great Barrier Reef in Australia, the Cayman Islands, the Maldives, Fiji, Mexico, the Azores Islands, French Polynesia, the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador,

St. Kitts and Belize were among the best diving locations that the Philippines had competed against in the last four years.

The Philippines also bested the Maldives, the Algarve in Portugal, Jamaica, the Galapagos Islands, and the Turks and Caicos Islands as the top beach destination across the globe.

“As we anticipate the influx of more tourists, we shall continue the work to improve the overall tourist experience in the Philippines and herald the best of the Filipino brand to the world,” Frasco said.

Meanwhile, three partner tour

ism establishments received WTA recognition: Amanpulo as the World’s Leading Dive Resort 2022, City of Dreams Manila as the World’s Leading Casino Resort 2022 and Ascott Bonifacio Global City Manila as the World’s Leading Serviced Apartment 2022.

This year, Siargao was nominated as the top island destination and Intramuros was nominated as the leading tourist attraction. The Department of Tourism was also nominated as the world’s top tourism organization.

The WTA was started in 1993 to “recognize, honor and celebrate excellence in the travel and tourism industry.”

“Winners establish the standard to which all others aspire, and now the WTA brand is recognized as the pinnacle of quality on a global scale,” according to its official website.