Described As "A Slice of Heaven," Palawan Ranks 4th In The World’s Trending Destinations

The island of Palawan has secured a spot in Tripadvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Awards Best of the Best, claiming the 4th position in the platform’s 2024 Trending Destinations.

Barracuda Lake, situated on the north shore of Coron Island, is frequented for its unique mix of saltwater and freshwater, which is perfect for those undecided between swimming in hot or cold temperatures.

Tripadvisor, a platform featuring resorts and hotels worldwide reviewed by tourists, has ranked the most trending destinations for 2024 as follows, starting from the top site: Tokyo, Japan; Seoul, South Korea; Halong Bay, Vietnam; Palawan Island, Philippines; Sapa, Vietnam; Bogota, Colombia; and Pattaya in Thailand.

On its website, Tripadvisor states, “Palawan is a slice of heaven, a sliver of an island that teems with exotic wildlife, quaint fishing villages, and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Wave hello to endangered animals at the Calauit Game Preserve and Wildlife Sanctuary or explore the Japanese shipwrecks of Coron Island, regarded as one of the best dive sites in the world. A guided boat tour of the Puerto Princesa Underground River will take your breath away.”

Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco of the Department of Tourism expressed that this latest accolade from Tripadvisor is “a testament to the island's timeless allure.”

She emphasized, “This singular achievement motivates us to maintain our commitment to sustainable tourism and showcase the beauty of Palawan to the world.”

She added that "With the global recognition, the island is poised to attract a surge in visitors, providing a boost to the local economy and reinforcing Palawan’s position as a top-tier travel destination."

The Puerto Princesa Underground River, one of Palawan's tourist destinations, was cited among the New 7 Wonders of Nature in 2012 alongside the Amazon Rainforest in South America.

Palawan was also named the “Most Desirable Island” for 2022 by a travel magazine based in London.

Based on DOT data, El Nido, one of Palawan’s tourist destinations known for beach, island-hopping, and diving, recorded a high of 500,408 tourist arrivals as of December 27, 2023.

According to Tripadvisor, the “Travelers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best winners are destinations whose hotels, restaurants, and things to do received a high volume of above-and-beyond reviews and opinions from our community over a 12-month period.”

The travel website added, “Fewer than 1% of Tripadvisor’s 8 million listings are awarded Best of the Best, signifying the highest level of excellence in travel.”

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