Boracay sunset. INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Boracay’s inclusion in Time Magazine’s 50 “World’s Greatest Places of 2022” could help the country attain its goal of taking back its position in the global market, said the Department of Tourism (DOT) on Wednesday.
In a statement, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said the recognition has affirmed DOT’s “pride and honor.”
“Such recognition will surely help us attain our goal of regaining our position in the global market,” said Frasco said, underscoring that aside from Boracay, there are plenty more tourist sites that the country could offer the world.
“In addition to natural resources, we look forward as well to developing and promoting the talents of our people and the products that have [the] potential for national and global marketability,” she added.
Extraordinary places
Time’s article titled “The world’s greatest places of 2022” comfortably lists Boracay among what it called 50 “extraordinary destinations to explore,” citing nominations it received from its “international network of correspondents and contributors with an eye toward those offering new and exciting experiences.”
READ: Boracay is among 50 of ‘world’s greatest places of 2022’
In particular, the article said that Boracay was among the many destinations “charting a path to economic recovery.”
“This year, paradise reopens on the Philippines’ Boracay Island, which had been closed for years due to overtourism and then the COVID-19 pandemic,” it stated.
Boracay joined other world-famous destinations and natural wonders, including the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, the World Cup stadiums of Doha, Qatar, and Galapagos Island in Ecuador.
‘Cesspool’
In 2018, then-President Rodrigo Duterte called Boracay island “a cesspool” and closed it to local and foreign tourists for rehabilitation.
The famous beach destination then partially reopened in October of the same year before closing again during the COVID-19 pandemic due to various health and movement restrictions.
It then reopened in October 2020 but with a limited number of visitors.
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