By Brian Campued
The “tropical paradise” of Palawan continues to captivate international travelers as the island and one of its municipalities were recognized in yet another global list.
The province itself was hailed as the 10th “Most Desirable Island in the World” in the Reader Travel Awards 2024 of United Kingdom-based travel magazine Wanderlust.
Leading the list was Sri Lanka, followed by Taiwan, Puerto Rico, Tobago, Tasmania, Bermuda, Cuba, Barbados, and Madagascar—with Palawan the only Southeast Asian destination in the Top 10.
The ranking and other awards were based on the 3 million votes cast by 168,000 reader-adventurers, according to the renowned travel magazine.
In a social media post, the Department of Tourism (DOT) also announced that the municipality of Busuanga has earned the 3rd spot on Skyscanner Australia’s “2025 Trending Destinations”—making it one of the preferred hotspots for Australian travelers.
According to the global travel platform, Busuanga saw a 125% surge in flight searches during the first half of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.
Skyscanner said the scenic island boasts clear waters and white sand beaches, a fitting alternative for travelers seeking fresh, less-crowded destinations than other popular beach getaways.
The DOT thanked Wanderlust and Skyscanner for the accolades—which the agency said, puts the Philippines among the top travel destinations in the world.
—av