MANILA, Philippines - Gov. Jose Alvarez vowed to exert more effort in improving Palawan after it was named as the World’s No. 1 island destination by the Conde Nast Traveler Reader’s Choice Award for 2014.
“We welcome such recognition and we are proud that Palawan has made it to No. 1. But we still have a lot of things to improve on,” Alvarez told The STAR.
The idyllic island of Palawan claimed top spot 88.750 points based on over 76,000 votes. Boracay, on the other hand, placed 12th with 82.683 points.
Alvarez said the provincial government is working on improving the facilities as well as the road network that would make travel across the island easier for tourists to go from one destination to another.
“Right now we are also working on improving the coastal areas wherein we have to make sure that they are always clean,” the governor said, adding that massive work is now being done to make El Nido and Coron and other leading destinations in the island more attractive to tourists.
Palawan gained international fame when its Puerto Princesa Subterranean River, the longest navigable underground river in the world, was recognized as one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature in 2012.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared the subterranean river a World Heritage Site in 1999.
Condé Nast Traveler recommends boat tours in the underground river “where karsts, natural rock formations created by dissolving limestone, loom in every direction.”
Boracay, meanwhile, is described in the New York-based magazine as being “as close to the tropical idyll ideal as you’ll find in the Philippines, with gentle coastlines and transporting sunsets.”
Alvarez also said his administration is working on connecting with international tour groups to make Palawan the choice destination for more tourists. — Edith Regalado