By Brian Jules Campued
Palawan was hailed as the world’s fourth trending destination according to the foreign travel platform Tripadvisor’s 2024 Travelers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best.
The website described the island as “a slice of heaven, a sliver of an island that teems with exotic wildlife, quaint fishing villages, and UNESCO World Heritage Sites.”
It also mentioned some notable tourist sites such as the Calauit Game Preserve and Wildlife Sanctuary, the Puerto Princesa Underground River, and the Japanese shipwrecks at Coron Island, “regarded as one of the best dive sites in the world”.
Tokyo in Japan topped the list, followed by Seoul in South Korea, and Halong Bay in Vietnam. While trailing behind Palawan were Sapa in Vietnam, Bogota in Colombia, and Pattaya in Thailand.
The Department of Tourism (DOT) thanked Tripadvisor for the accolade and likewise cited the province’s “continued winning streak” following its several global citations in the previous year.
Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco regarded the award as “a testament to the island’s allure” and said that the DOT would do its part in ensuring the sustainability of Palawan’s tourism development while promoting “enhanced tourism experience for travelers”.
“This singular achievement motivates us to maintain our commitment to sustainable tourism and showcase the beauty of Palawan to the world,” the Tourism chief said.
The recognition is expected to “attract a surge in visitors, providing a boost to the local economy and reinforcing Palawan’s position as a top-tier travel destination,” Frasco added.
Tripadvisor awards its “highest level of excellence in travel” to fewer than 1% of its 8 million listings and winners were based on reviews and opinions collected from its community of travelers and diners in a 12-month period. – avds
