The beautiful island of Palawan is once again the “Best Island in the World,” according to renowned international travel magazine and website, Travel + Leisure. This is the fourth time Palawan has received this well-deserved recognition, previously topping the same list in 2013, 2016, and 2017.
Every year, the New York-based publication holds a survey for the World’s Best Awards, where their travel-savvy readers are asked to share their thoughts on the world’s top cities, islands, spas, airlines, cruises, and more. For the world’s best islands, the ratings given by readers were based on natural attractions, beach quality, activities and sights, food, the hospitality of the locals, and the island’s overall value. This year, Palawan scored the highest with 94.83 points, followed by Greek islands Paros and Milos, with 90.55 and 90.33 points respectively.
In describing Palawan and what makes it the world’s best island, Travel + Leisure’s Sara Clemence wrote, “It’s dramatic at sea level, with mountains rising directly from the ocean palm-edged beaches. Though it’s difficult to reach from many parts of the world, once travelers get there, they can dive in World War II wrecks, explore old-growth rain forests, and paddle one of the world’s longest subterranean rivers at Puerto Princesa.” She also shared this comment from one of their readers: “The landscape and scenery are just gorgeous. It offers the most beautiful beaches, resorts, and scenery anywhere.”
This distinction also comes after several rehabilitation projects were made in Palawan last year, particularly in tourist hotspots – El Nido and Coron. The Department of Tourism (DOT) celebrates Palawan’s recognition, expressing how wonderful it is to see that the rehabilitation efforts on the island have paid off and are well-received by locals and tourists alike.
Another world-famous Philippine island known for its white sandy beaches, Boracay has also made it to the list. This popular tourist destination ranked 14th place with a score of 88.22 points.
