PH named Asia’s leading beach and dive destination anew in 2020 World Travel Awards

LEADING DIVE RESORT Amanpulo in Palawan’s Cuyo Island Group was cited as theWorld’s Leading Dive Resort 2019 in theWorld Travel Awards held in Muscat, Oman, last week. — CHECHE V. MORAL

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines was recognized as Asia’s leading beach destination, as well as Asia’s leading dive destination in the 2020 World Travel Awards.

The award-giving body announced its Asia 2020 winners on Tuesday.

With the recognition, the Philippines bested five other countries in Asia’s leading beach destination category, namely India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Thailand. This is the fourth time the Philippines won Asia’s leading beach destination award.

Meanwhile, it was the second time the Philippines bagged Asia’s leading dive destination award. The country previously won the award in 2019.

Aside from this, popular luxury Palawan island resort Amanpulo was recognized as this year’s Asia’s leading private island resort, while Spanish citadel Intramuros won this year’s Asia’s leading tourist attraction.

For the second time in a row, the Philippines’ Department of Tourism (DOT) was also recognized as Asia’s leading tourist board.

“We are truly honored and thankful for the accolades given to the Philippines at the 2020 World Travel Awards Asia,” DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said in the statement of the awards the Philippines won.

“These recognitions are certainly an inspiration to the industry as we safely and gradually reopen our destinations for tourism. These would not be possible without the combined efforts from our tourism stakeholders, local government units, partner agencies, and our fellow Filipinos who have tirelessly promoted our country’s attractions, products and culture,” she added.

The Philippines, the DOT said, has the remaining nominations under the award-giving body’s World Category. These are:

World’s Leading Beach Destination 2020: Philippines
World’s Leading Dive Destination 2020: Philippines
World’s Leading Island Destination 2020: Siargao
World’s Leading Tourist Board 2020: the Philippines, Department of Tourism
World’s Leading Tourist Attraction 2020: Intramuros

The announcement of winners for these categories will be on Nov. 24.

According to its official website, the World Travel Awards, established in 1993, aims to “acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry.”

EDV