Everything’s coming up roses for the tourism sector. The campaign “Visit Philippines Year 2015” launched by the Department of Tourism after the success of “It’s More Fun in the Philippines,” has been bolstered by the accolade “Top Island in the World” awarded to Palawan island-province based on survey of 30 fascinating islands worldwide by New York-based Conde Nast Travel Magazine for its 27th Readers Choice Awards for 2014.
Puerto Princesa Underground River in Palawan
Palawan was followed in the top 10 list by Kiawah Island, South Carolina; Maui, Hawaii; Kauai, Hawaii; Bazaruto Archipelago, Mozambique; Great Barrier Reef and Whitsunday Islands, Australia; Santorini and Cyclades, Greece; St. John, US Virgin Islands; Kangaroo Island, Australia; and Big Island, Hawaii.
In the Conde Nast survey, Boracay Island was No. 12. In another category, Shangri-La Boracay Resort and Spa was awarded 11th place among Top 20 Resorts in Asia.
Conde Nast particularly cited Palawan’s most popular tourist destination, the Puerto Princesa Underground River. “Palawan’s natural wonder is one of the longest underground rivers in the world, and longest in Asia, traveling five miles through a subterranean cave system. Boat tours take visitors down a portion of the waterway, where karsts, natural rock formations created by dissolving limestones, loom in every direction.” The underground river was one of New Seven Wonders of Nature in 2012, and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999.
Palawan has great locations for snorkeling, swimming, and diving. Coral and rainbow reef walls surround the coasts and coves teeming with marine resources. It has diverse ecosystems – rainforests, mangroves, white-sand beaches, clear blue waters, limestone cliffs, and a variety of fishes such as manta ray and the rare marine mammal dugong.
Favorite destinations for water sports activities are diving sites Tubbataha Reefs National Marine Park (also a World Heritage Site), El Nido Marine Reserve, Honda Bay, Coron Island, Irawan Eco Park, Pambato Reef, and Starfish Island. Palawan is among the world’s Best Islands listed by National Geographic; the Best Value Travel Destination by Lonely Planet; and among World’s Best by Travel + Leisure Magazine.