Palawan named 2022 'Most Desirable Island' by UK-based publication

A London-based publication has named Palawan as the world's "Most Desirable Island" for 2022, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said Thursday.

Wanderlust Travel Magazine, the longest-running travel magazine in the United Kingdom, said its readers chose the popular tourism destination "not just be the best in the country, but the best in the world" this year.

It described Palawan's picturesque views as "heaven on earth," highlighting the island's sparkling waters and pristine white sand beaches.

"One of the most photographed sites is Kayangan, a dazzling freshwater lake with spectacular rock formations above and below the surface. Elsewhere on the island you can explore one of the world's longest underground rivers, enjoy a spot of twitching, or fuel up with some delicious cuisine in the island's capital of Puerto Princesa," said Wanderlust.

According to the DOT, the award-giving body also ranked the DOT-Central Visayas Office as sixth among hundreds of special entries in the Wanderlust Sustainability Initiative Category for its Dive7 Program.

Likewise, Cebu was nominated as one of the Most Desirable Region (Rest of the World) for this year.

"On behalf of the DOT, we thank the readers of Wanderlust Magazine for their love and support for the Philippines!" said DOT Chief Christina Frasco in a press statement.

"These awards reflect the efforts to revive the tourism industry that are well underway especially because of the Marcos administration's thrust towards prioritizing tourism development," Frasco added. "Rest assured that we will continue with our mission to herald the Philippines and the Filipino brand to the world, and to ensure the continued sustainability of our islands."

The recognition was among the tributes the Philippines achieved this year in the tourism sector. In October, Boracay Island emerged as the as the top island in Asia in the 2022 Readers' Choice Awards of travel magazine Condé Nast Traveler.

TIME Magazine, in July, also hailed Boracay Island as one of the "World's Greatest Places of 2022."

—Sundy Locus/MGP, GMA Integrated News