READERS of an international travel and lifestyle magazine have named three Philippine islands, including Metro Cebu, as among the 20 best islands in the world.
Conde Nast Traveler’s 28th Reader’s Choice Awards ranked Cebu 19th among the best islands in the world, with a score of 80.404. Palawan ranked first with a score of 85.937, the second time it was named the best island, while Boracay ranked 15th with a score of 80.856. The results were announced Tuesday.
Cebu was described as the most densely populated island in the Philippines and famous for its beaches “on the mainland, as well as around many surrounding islands.”
“Not as wild as Phuket in Thailand, Cebu City is more personal, with plenty of up and coming restaurants and shopping,” the magazine said.
It also recommended a trip to the Camotes Islands “to get a true taste of island life.”
Other islands that made the list were Bora Bora and Moorea in French Polynesia, Waiheke in New Zealand, Bermuda, Whidbey Island and Tasmania in Australia, Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Bali in Indonesia, Santorini and Mykonos in Greece, Cook Islands, British Virgin Islands, St. John in the US Virgin Islands, Maldives, Orkney Islands in Scotland and Hvar and Dalmatian Islands in Croatia.
The annual survey had 128,000 participants, the most since it was started.
Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa was also named one of 100 best hotels in the world. It ranked 51st with a score of 94.916.
Hotel, Resort and Restaurant Association of Cebu president Cenelyn Manguilimotan welcomed the news and hopes Cebu will remain on the list consistently. “We need the hype. And the timing is right since we just finished hosting APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation) and we got very good feedback from foreign delegates. Then the IEC (International Eucharistic Congress) is just around the corner,” she told Sun.Star Cebu.
For tour operator Alice Queblatin, Cebu has met criteria of foreign tourists. “The perception is Cebu has met the needs and expectations of majority of travelers. This is a common remark we get from our guests,” she said.
Queblatin, who operates Southwinds Travel and Tours, said inconveniences such as traffic, poor infrastructure and images of poor security have not dampened their experiences. However, she believes these still need to be addressed.
“Better traffic management, prioritization of infrastructure for tourist destinations should help make better tourist experiences,” she said.
By MIA A. AZNAR / KATLENE O. CACHO | October 22, 2015 | Sun Star Cebu
Conde Nast Traveler’s 28th Reader’s Choice Awards ranked Cebu 19th among the best islands in the world, with a score of 80.404. Palawan ranked first with a score of 85.937, the second time it was named the best island, while Boracay ranked 15th with a score of 80.856. The results were announced Tuesday.
Cebu was described as the most densely populated island in the Philippines and famous for its beaches “on the mainland, as well as around many surrounding islands.”
“Not as wild as Phuket in Thailand, Cebu City is more personal, with plenty of up and coming restaurants and shopping,” the magazine said.
It also recommended a trip to the Camotes Islands “to get a true taste of island life.”
Other islands that made the list were Bora Bora and Moorea in French Polynesia, Waiheke in New Zealand, Bermuda, Whidbey Island and Tasmania in Australia, Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Bali in Indonesia, Santorini and Mykonos in Greece, Cook Islands, British Virgin Islands, St. John in the US Virgin Islands, Maldives, Orkney Islands in Scotland and Hvar and Dalmatian Islands in Croatia.
The annual survey had 128,000 participants, the most since it was started.
Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa was also named one of 100 best hotels in the world. It ranked 51st with a score of 94.916.
Hotel, Resort and Restaurant Association of Cebu president Cenelyn Manguilimotan welcomed the news and hopes Cebu will remain on the list consistently. “We need the hype. And the timing is right since we just finished hosting APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation) and we got very good feedback from foreign delegates. Then the IEC (International Eucharistic Congress) is just around the corner,” she told Sun.Star Cebu.
For tour operator Alice Queblatin, Cebu has met criteria of foreign tourists. “The perception is Cebu has met the needs and expectations of majority of travelers. This is a common remark we get from our guests,” she said.
Queblatin, who operates Southwinds Travel and Tours, said inconveniences such as traffic, poor infrastructure and images of poor security have not dampened their experiences. However, she believes these still need to be addressed.
“Better traffic management, prioritization of infrastructure for tourist destinations should help make better tourist experiences,” she said.
By MIA A. AZNAR / KATLENE O. CACHO | October 22, 2015 | Sun Star Cebu
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