PH cited Asia’s top beach and dive destination anew in 2021 World Travel Awards

Panglao Island, located in Bohol Sea in
Central Visayas,is a famous tourist
 destination known for its white sand
 beaches and world-class diving sites.
Photo courtesy of the Department of Tourism.

The Philippines’ Department of Tourism (DOT) announced today that the Philippines is, once again, Asia's leading beach destination and Asia’s leading dive destination at the 28th World Travel Awards (WTA). 

“We are elated that the country’s pristine beaches and mesmerizing dive spots have once again been cited as the best in Asia by the prestigious 2021 World Travel Awards. We share this recognition with our tourism stakeholders, local government units, partner agencies, and all Filipinos who have been helping us promote our country’s attractions, products, and culture,” said Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat. 

This is the Philippines’ fifth time to win Asia's Leading Beach Destination and the third time in a row since 2019 to win the Asia’s Leading Dive Destination award.  

The Philippines is still in the running for the following World categories of the 28th World Travel Awards: 

World’s Leading Beach Destination 2021: Philippines 

World’s Leading Dive Destination 2021:  Philippines 

World’s Leading Island Destination 2021: Siargao, Philippines 

World’s Leading Tourist Attraction 2021: Intramuros, Philippines 

World’s Leading Tourist Board 2021: Philippines, Department of Tourism  

Voting runs until midnight of October 25, 2021 via https://www.worldtravelawards.com/. 

The WTA aims to acknowledge, reward, and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the global travel and tourism industry. 

Siargao Island, a popular surfing destination, is home to
 unspoiled white sand beaches. Photo by Beautiful Destinations,
courtesy of the Department of Tourism.

“This will boost our efforts to keep the Philippines as a top-of-mind destination for foreign tourists as we await the resumption of international leisure travel to the country, consistent with our “More Fun Awaits” global campaign,” said Puyat.. 

Some of the country’s top beach destinations, such as Boracay in Aklan, Siargao in Surigao del Norte, and El Nido and Amanpulo in Palawan, have already opened to domestic tourists and are ready to welcome foreign tourists once international borders reopen.  

El Nido is a Philippine municipality on Palawan Island.
It is one of the most popular destinations in the Philippines
for its absolutely stunning islands and beaches.
Photo by Erwin Lim, courtesy of the Department of Tourism.

Sombrero Reef in Batangas is a diving site where gorgonians,
 black coral, shells, rays, grunts, jacks, snappers, and a great
 variety of soft corals are scattered all over the place.
 Photo courtesy of the Department of Tourism.

Moreover, the PDOT has developed many of the country’s beach destinations, as well as new and existing dive circuits and is constantly identifying potential destinations that may be developed for dive tourism. Top diving spots in the country include the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park in Palawan, Anilao in Batangas, Malapascua and Moalboal in Cebu, Balicasag, Panglao and  Anda in Bohol, and Puerto Galera in Oriental Mindoro.

 

Tubbataha Reef is known for its extraordinary biodiversity, abundant marine life, and breathtaking drop-offs into the open ocean. Photos by Robert Yin.

The Department also ensures that the safety of visitors remain is prioritized with the strict implementation of health protocols in destinations that have opened their doors to guests. Meanwhile, more than half or about 65.53% of tourism workers in the country have already received their Covid-19 jabs as of October 16. 

For more updates and information on the DOT’s campaigns and programs, please visit  www.morefunawaits.com. 

Anilao in Batangas has some of the best scuba diving for
 underwater photography in the world, particularly for rare
underwater critters and new species of fish.
Photo by Evelyn Go, courtesy of the Department of Tourism