If you’ve been waiting for a sign that you should book a trip to the Philippines, this is it. The Philippines was named one of the ten most friendly countries in the world in the 2022 edition of Germany-based travel magazine Condé Nast Traveler (CNT) Readers’ Choice Awards.
The Philippines was also ranked eighth in the world on the CNT’s list of the most desirable countries. Boracay was named the island of the year in Asia and Palawan the eighth best in the world.
Nowhere to Find Asia’s Finest Island but in Boracay, Philippines
The country was praised for its hospitality by the magazine’s editors. They noted that the Philippines’ inclusion in the top 10 shows that the country’s famous hospitality is still alive and kicking, the Philippine News Agency reported.
“The country has often been praised for its seemingly effortless ability to lavish genuine hospitality on visitors, foreigners, or expatriates. Many people consider the Banaue Rice Terraces here to be the ‘Eighth Wonder of the World,’ though plenty of other beauty spots abound here. The islands are peppered with majestic mountainscapes, decorative churches and sprawling sandy beaches,” Conde Nast said on Oct. 4 as the award’s winners were released.
Aside from being regarded as one of the most welcoming countries in the world, the Philippines was also named as one of the 30 best places to travel to. It scored an impressive 86.66 out of a possible 100, besting the likes of Costa Rica, Belize, Germany, Malta, Indonesia, Mexico, France, Argentina, and Switzerland, among others.
Christina Frasco, the head of the Department of Tourism, said the recognition of the Philippines as one of the best places to travel is a resounding victory for the country’s efforts to position itself as a leading destination in Asia.
“Recognitions such as these affirm our efforts to herald not only our country’s natural wonders but also our readiness to become the premier tourist destination in Asia. The Department is one with all our tourism stakeholders, from the local government units, private sector partners, and our fellowmen in celebrating these victories for the Philippines from Condé Nast Traveler,” she said on Wednesday.
The recognition of the country’s top tourist attractions will help boost the country’s international reputation and attract more visitors, she said. In addition, she noted that the government’s efforts to expand and improve the tourism opportunities in the country will also help boost the development of other emerging regions.
The Philippines’ westernmost province of Palawan was named as one of the best island destinations in Asia by the editors of the magazine. It was also praised for its people’s hospitality. Other prominent island destinations in the region that were also included in the list include Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka.
The magazine also named El Nido Resorts in Palawan as one of the 40 best resorts in the country. Another local resort, the Shangri-La Mactan Spa and Hotel in Cebu, was ranked 20th in the list of Asia’s best resorts.
READ NEXT: Department of Tourism (DOT): What You Need to Know