Confidence booster, says DOT of citation for PH islands

Citations received by Philippine destinations from international groups would boost efforts to gradually reopen the country to tourists amid the pandemic that led to a worldwide travel slump, according to the Department of Tourism (DOT).

Cebu and the Visayas Islands received the latest commendation for topping New York-based Condé Nast Traveler’s (CNT) 2020 Readers’ Choice Awards of top island destinations of Asia.

“This latest citation from CNT gives us in the DOT a boost of confidence, as we continuously carry out our strategies to gradually reopen domestic tourism, to once again welcome travelers from other countries when things become better,” Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said in a statement.

“The Philippines is indeed blessed with the best of nature, as exhibited by the consecutive accolades we are receiving from reputable and prestigious publications for our islands and beaches,” she said.

In its 33rd Readers’ Choice Awards, CNT invited 600,000 travelers to vote online for the “top islands” in six areas—Asia, Australia and the South Pacific, the Caribbean and the Atlantic, Africa and the Indian Ocean, Europe, and North America.

CNT lauded Cebu’s beaches, diving spots, and Spanish-Catholic colonial and cultural heritage attractions.Palawan, Siargao and Boracay placed fourth, fifth and sixth, respectively, in the CNT lists. Cebu and the Visayas were lumped as one entry, but Boracay Island, which is in Western Visayas, was a separate entry. —REPORTS FROM JEROME ANING AND ADOR VINCENT MAYOL