Travel+Leisure Magazine Hails Palawan as World’s Best Island of 2017
From left: Tourism Representatives Zeny Pallugna and Purificacion Molintas with Travel+Leisure Editor-In-Chief Nathan Lump at the awarding ceremony in New York City on 26 July 2017. (Photo by Zeny Pallugna)
22 August 2017 NEW YORK – International travel magazine Travel+Leisure has once again chosen Palawan as the World’s Best Island for two consecutive years now and a third time since 2013. It was initially picked No. 1 island in Asia, and then declared No. 1 worldwide, besting the likes of Santorini, Maui, Kaui, Galapagos Islands, and Bali.
Ms. Zeny Pallugna, Representative of Philippine Department of Tourism – New York (PDOT-NY) and Ms. Purificacion Molintas, Representative of PDOT-San Francisco received the award on behalf of the Philippines and the Philippine Department of Tourism in ceremonies held in New York City on 26 July 2017.
Palawan has impressed on all fronts, owing to its “unspoiled, sugar-white beaches;” its world-class scuba diving sites where divers are treated to teeming ocean life; and for the Puerto Princesa Underground River, one of the globe’s longest subterranean rivers and a UNESCO-inscribed World Heritage site.
Also garnering attention are the “dramatic” limestone formations rising from the turquoise waters of El Nido; the “warm and friendly” locals; the 600 species of birds that makes the province a popular destination for bird-watchers; and the “delicious” food highlighted by a variety of seafood and the melting pot of Filipino cuisine that blends Indian, Spanish, Chinese and Malay influences.
According to the magazine, most readers described Palawan as “rustic,” “romantic,” “affordable,” and “relaxing” that is why it is often singled out from other islands in other countries. “It’s the single most beautiful place on earth,” one reader was quoted by the magazine.
Besides Palawan, another top tourist destination in the Philippines which made it to the list and landed on the third spot is Boracay.
For more information, visit www.newyorkpcg.dfa.gov.ph/ www.newyorkpcg.org or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinNY/. END