By Ryan Louis Mantilla

The Department of Tourism (DOT) celebrates the country's consecutive victories in the Condé Nast Traveler (CNT) 2022 Readers' Choice Awards.

The Philippines ranked 30th among the Top Countries in the World, with Boracay receiving Asia's Top Island title, while Palawan ranked eighth out of the top ten.

Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco expressed gratitude for the international recognition the country has received, particularly since it is completely based on the feedback and experiences of visitors from around the globe.

As they welcome the new era of travel post-pandemic, Frasco assured tourists that traveling to the country would be worry-free by ensuring “improvement in ease of access, prioritizing tourist safety and convenience, and encouraging sustainable tourism practices.”

“Recognitions such as these affirm our efforts to herald not only our country’s natural wonders but also our readiness to become the premier tourist destination in Asia,” the tourism chief added.

In addition to Palawan, which received an 88.99 rating, the CNT Asia list includes equally praised island destinations from Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, and Japan.

The tourism chief noted that tourists could enjoy the two destinations without worrying about their health and well-being.

“With the relaxation of the Philippines’ mask mandate and our efforts towards the continuous review and recalibration of the country’s existing health and safety protocols, taking into consideration the current health situation, and benchmarking on the best practices of ASEAN countries, our tourists can now all the more enjoy our nature-based tourism destinations like Boracay and Palawan all over the archipelago while still being assured that their health and well-being remain our priority,” said Frasco.