Boracay named world's 2nd best beach

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Tourism (DOT) reported that Boracay has been named the best beach in the world after the Providenciales in Turks and Calcos Islands.

“It has become a very popular destination and is now the world’s second beach destination,” Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez disclosed.

Jimenez noted that last year alone, over three million foreign and local tourists visited the world renowned beach.

Tourism Assistant Secretary and spokesman Benito Bengzon said Tripadvisor.com, a travel information website, came out with the list of best 25 beaches in the world based on travelers’ choice.

According to the travel opinion aggregator, their travel reviews were not just being posted directly, but were subjected to verification.

Travel + Leisure magazine also ranked Boracay second among Top Islands in Asia, and no. 4 among Top Islands Overall in its World’s Best Awards readers’ survey.

To accommodate the influx of foreign and local tourists to Boracay, Jimenez said, the government has initiated the construction of international airports in Caticlan and Kalibo in Aklan.

The tourism chief said the government has also approved the construction of an international airport in Palawan in preparation for the growing number of travelers visiting the Puerto Princesa Underground River.

After the Underground River was included in the on-going search for the new seven Wonders of Nature, Jimenez said, the number of visitors to Palawan has grown tremendously.

But Jimenez stressed that local government authorities in Palawan limits the number of tourists entering the underground river to protect the site.

“Until we can find a way to protect the PPUR, we cannot add to the 700 allowed into the site daily,” Jimenez pointed out.

Jimenez added the DOT has been working hard to lure Japanese and other foreign tourists to visit the country’s different destinations.

Just the other day, Jimenez discussed with the Japanese ambassador the possibility of capturing more travelers from Japan by offering more and new destinations.

“Japan used to be our number one market but they have moved to Thailand and Cambodia so we have to compete and get them back,” he said.

The DOT, he said, has come out with a data base that would help in identifying tourists spots that require development and thus would be included in the country’s National Tourism Development Plan.

But with the construction of additional international airports to be completed only after two years, Jimenez urged the Filipino people to help in filling in the gap.

“The people must ensure that our visitors are enjoying their stay here and they are okay to make up for our shortcoming with the airports,” he said.

As part of the efforts to lure long-staying and high-spending tourists to the country, Jimenez said the DOT is also set to offer a new program providing additional perks for elderly tourists.

Starting this year, elderly tourists coming to the country or those seeking retirement here would be provided senior citizen privileges.