Palawan also on list of top destinations: Cebu among world’s best

CEBU, Philippines — A New York based travel magazine has named Cebu as one of two places in the Philippines in its Top 15 destinations in the world.

Cebu ranked eighth while Palawan ranked sixth in Travel+Leisure’s "most beautiful havens in the world" alongside Java (first), Bali (second), and Lombok (third), all in Indonesia.

Cebu missed the cut in 2017 but ranked sixth in 2016.  This year, Cebu registered a score of 89.1 while Palawan registered a score of 90.04.

The rest of the destinations are Maldives (fourth), Waiheke in New Zealand (fifth), Mauritius (seventh), Paros in Greece (ninth), Tasmania in Australia (10th), Galapagos Islands in Ecuador (11th), Cook Islands in Oceania (12th); Orkney Islands in Scotland (13th); Maui in Hawaii (14th); and Azores in Portugal (15th).

According to Rebecca Ascher-Walsh in an article published on July 10, “readers rated the islands according to their activities and sights, natural attractions and beaches, food, friendliness, and overall value.”

Carlo Suarez, the president of the Hotel, Resort and Restaurant Association of Cebu (HRRAC), said every Cebuano can take pride of the honor.

“I am very happy that now both Private and Government institutions are working hand in hand to boost the tourism of Cebu. I wish with the major developments like airport opening, Safari in the North, and ecotourism in the south, we can make it in the top 5. We aim for top 5 next year. It is good to dream big for Cebu,” Suarez said. (FREEMAN)