Philippines among best beach and diving destinations

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines was once again recognized as Asia’s leading beach and diving destination by a travel awards body, the Department of Tourism (DOT) announced yesterday.

The DOT said this is the fifth time that the country won Asia’s Leading Beach Award, and the third time in a row to bag the Leading Dive Destination Award.

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

The Philippines is still in the running for the World’s Leading Beach Destination and the World’s Leading Dive Destination categories in this year’s World Travel Awards, Puyat said.

Also nominated are Siargao for World’s Leading Island Destination, Intramuros for World Leading Tourist Attraction and the DOT for World Leading Tourist Board.

“This will boost our effort 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,” Puyat said.

Voting will run until Oct. 25 on the World Travel Awards website.

The DOT said about 65.53 percent of tourism workers in the country have been vaccinated against COVID-19.

Meanwhile, the Bureau of Immigration said foreign tourists, including from “green countries,” are still not allowed to visit the Philippines. – Robertzon Ramirez