Philippines among best countries to spend longer vacation

CEBU, Philippines — An e-commerce platform has ranked the Philippines as the third best country to spent a long vacation.

A study conducted by Ubuy shows that among the more than 100 countries in the world, the Philippines was among the top places considered as the best destinations for longer vacations. Evaluating factors include affordability, cultural richness, safety, and travel convenience.

The research highlighted countries with a search volume greater than 1,000,000, focusing on those offering a combination of cost-effective travel, cultural appeal, and safety.

The result of the study shows the Philippines placed third with 55.744 behind Vietnam with a score of 64.313 and India with 61.167 for 2024.

“The Philippines is third with a score of 55.74. With a 20-day stay priced at $943, it is the second cheapest option after Vietnam. The country also enjoys a 5-month tourist season and a moderate crime index of 42.8, making it a safe and appealing destination for long vacations,” highlights Ubuy.

The Philippines also has six UNESCO World Heritage sites and 150 popular attractions nationwide.

 Vietnam tops the list with the lowest hotel prices for 20 days at $827 and has an extensive tourist season the whole year, making it especially attractive to budget-conscious travelers while India stands out with 40 UNESCO World Heritage sites and the lowest restaurant price per 2 people for a 3-course meal, around $14.29.

Japan though is the safest destination for longer vacations, with the lowest crime rate at 22.6.

Completing the top 10 best countries for longer vacations are Sri Lanka, Thailand, South Korea, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, and Turkeye.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) celebrates the Philippines’ recognition as a leading destination for long-staying guests.

With this, the DOT has encouraged travelers to extend their stay and spend more for a complete experience of Philippines’ unique cultural and natural wonders, while also supporting the local economy. (FREEMAN)