Philippines marks eight-year winning streak as Asia’s Leading Dive Destination with six WTA Asia wins

Philippines marks eight-year winning streak as Asia’s Leading Dive Destination with six WTA Asia wins

Great Travel Magazine
GTContentSteam
07 October 2026

The Philippines marked its eight consecutive year as Asia’s Leading Dive Destination at the World Travel Awards (WTA) Asia, Oceania & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony 2026, held at CROSSROADS Maldives on Sunday (Sept. 27).

The country likewise secured five other major wins, including Asia’s Leading Beach Destination 2026 for the ninth time and Asia’s Leading Island Destination 2026 for the third consecutive year.

Boracay retained its title as Asia’s Leading Luxury Island Destination 2026 for the third straight year, while the Department of Tourism (DOT) was named Asia’s Leading Tourist Board 2026 for the fourth time.

The City of San Fernando, Pampanga earned the title of Asia’s Leading Cultural City Destination 2026, marking the Philippines’ first win in the said category. The recognition highlights the city’s rich heritage, traditions, crafts, culinary offerings, and festivals, including the Giant Lantern Festival.

“With the momentum from these recognitions, we want to further establish diving as one of the Philippines’ key tourism products in 2027. This means improving access and logistics to our dive destinations and strengthening promotions that showcase the exceptional marine and natural assets we have across the country. At the same time, we will continue working to enhance safety and security for both local and international travelers, while investing in the training and education of our tourism frontliners in our dive and beach destinations. Our goal is to make diving and other water-based activities safer, more accessible, and easier for travelers to experience, supported by more efficient services and better-connected destinations,” Tourism Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay said.

Philippine tourism industry players also brought home nine Asia-level awards, led by the country’s flag carrier Philippine Airlines, named Asia’s Leading Cultural Airline. Savoy Hotel Manila was recognized as Asia’s Leading Airport Hotel, while Amanpulo and Discovery Primea were named Asia’s Leading Private Island Resort and Asia’s Leading Business Hotel, respectively. Other Philippine winners were Admiral Hotel Manila – MGallery, Asia’s Leading Design Hotel; Ascott Bonifacio Global City Manila, Asia’s Leading Serviced Apartments; City of Dreams Manila, Asia’s Leading Casino Resort; Fili Hotel Bridgetowne, Asia’s Leading New Luxury Hotel Development Project; and Okada Manila, Asia’s Leading Entertainment Resort.

Established in 1993, the World Travel Awards recognizes excellence across the global travel, tourism, and hospitality industries through regional and global awards. Regional winners advance to the WTA Grand Final, where they compete with winners from other regional heats for the World categories.

Lagen Island in Palawan is better than Bali and Maldives

Goodbye Bali, So Long Maldives: This Philippines Secluded Island Sanctuary Is A New Hotspot For Pristine Beaches

Kirtana Menon
Islands.com
20 September 2026

Over the last decade, Indian Ocean beauties like Bali and the Maldives have carved out a space for themselves as some of the world's premier beach destinations. Each place welcomes millions of tourists every year, eager to swim in the area's characteristic crystal-clear water and sunbathe on the beach. However, following a year-long renovation, an old hidden-gem island in the Philippines has reopened its doors to prospective visitors in 2026 and re-emerged as a new hotspot for secluded, stunning beaches and nature-based stays: Lagen Island.

Lagen Island is a privately owned island in the Palawan province of the Philippines. The province consists of nearly 2,000 islands, with Palawan Island as its main hub. Lagen Island lies off the northwestern edge of Palawan Island in Bacuit Bay, near the town of El Nido, which is particularly famous for limestone karst cliffs, vibrant turquoise waters, and island-hopping tours. However, since Lagen Island is owned by its namesake resort, only guests of the resort are allowed onto the island.

The journey to Lagen Island Resort begins with a plane ride to El Nido Airport. From there, the resort arranges private, approximately 30-minute speedboat rides to the island, where you get your first glimpse of Lagen Island's tranquil, sandy beaches set in a quiet cove, framed by the island's looming, dark green, rainforest-covered mountains. Visitors can choose from four accommodation options at Lagen Island Resort. Water Villas provide that quintessential luxury island experience with overwater villas and decks that lead straight into the sea. The Forest Rooms, Forest Deluxe Rooms, and Forest Suites offer a similarly immersive experience of the surrounding land, set in tranquil woods toward the back of the resort.

Lagen Island's pristine beach beauty and luxury eco-tourism

Lagen Island Resort's renovation centered on the idea of providing luxury without harming the surrounding ecosystem, so the resort only occupies about 15 acres of the island, with the remaining land left completely untouched. The resort sits in a secluded cove, with a serene white-sand beach leading to shallow waters perfect for playing and splashing around in. With only 42 rooms, guests at Lagen Island Resort can look forward to the feeling of a private island experience complete with the island-hopping tours that characterize the dreamy, tropical tourist area of El Nido. Aside from the main beach in front of the resort, a trek through the island's rainforest leads to another, even more secluded private beach.

The resort organizes island-hopping tours for those who want to explore similarly beautiful beaches in nearby islands. These tours allow visitors to explore vibrant lagoons and limestone caves and enjoy activities like snorkeling at Shimizu Island or swimming at Entalula Island, voted Asia's best beach in 2025. You can even go on a night kayaking adventure in search of bioluminescence similar to the famous "Sea of Stars" of Vaadhoo Island in the Maldives.

While "luxury" has long been considered the antithesis of "eco-friendly," the kind of luxury offered at Lagen Island relies heavily on its untouched natural state. The resort offers spa services, customized tours, and air-conditioned rooms, but offsets that by having a firm no-plastic policy and ensuring its waste doesn't end up polluting the island. The real luxury on offer here is the experience of a serene, tropical beach paradise nestled away from the noise of popular tourist destinations.

Entalula Beach named world's No. 1 best beach for 2026

Palawan's Entalula Beach named world's No. 1 best beach for 2026

Melanie Uson
Philstar.com
29 April 2026

Entalula Beach in El Nido, Palawan, has been named this year’s No. 1 beach in the world.

The pristine destination topped this year’s World’s 50 Best Beaches list, as selected by the judges, beach ambassadors, and the World’s 50 Beaches team.

“Entalula Beach in Palawan is one of those places you have to see to believe. It is set apart by its towering limestone cliffs that rise sharply behind a stretch of soft white sand, creating one of the most visually striking settings in the region and the world,” the media company described in the caption.

It also underscored the beach’s distinctive surrounding landscape, crystal-clear waters, and relatively uncrowded atmosphere compared with nearby beaches.

“With access only by boat, it remains quieter and helps preserve its more natural feel. It’s the contrast of majestic cliffs, clear water, and amazing seclusion that gives Entalula its edge as a place that feels both dramatic and calm at the same time,” it added.

This year’s top ranking comes after the beach landed at No. 2 on last year’s list.

Leyte’s Kalanggaman Island also made it to the list at No. 25, known for its clear waters and narrow sandbar.

Following Entalula, Fteri Beach in Greece ranked second, followed by Australia’s Wharton Beach, Nosy Iranja in Madagascar, and East Beach on Vomo Island in Fiji.

The nominations were based on eight key criteria: unique characteristics, wildlife, untouched nature, natural soundtrack, ease of water entry, frequency of calm conditions, lack of overcrowding, and the idyllic scenes it offers.

Completing the top 10 beaches are Shoal Bay East in Anguilla, Dhigurah in the Maldives, Playa Balandra in Mexico, Koh Rong in Cambodia, and Donald Duck Bay in Thailand.

El Nido, Palawan, was also recently recognized by BBC as one of the eight best destinations in the world.

US News & World Report named Palawan as the world’s top island to visit in 2025

Palawan named world’s top island to visit in 2025

Story by Ghio Ong
Philstar Global
27 April 2025

MANILA, Philippines — An online news outlet based in the United States has named Palawan the world’s top island destination for 2025.

In an article published on April 22, US News & World Report ranked the Philippine archipelagic province first in its list of the “World’s Best Islands to Visit for 2025.”

“Here, island hoppers can swim in the exceptionally clear Kayangan Lake in Coron, tour the lagoons of Bacuit Bay in El Nido and kayak through caves on the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River,” the article stated.

It added, “Those who prefer to vacation at a slower pace can lounge on serene beaches overlooking limestone formations or catch a glimpse of marine life on a snorkeling tour.”

Described as one that “entices adventure seekers and beach bums alike,” the report encouraged travelers to plan their accommodations and tours ahead of time, especially if visiting during the dry season from November to May, described as the “best time to visit and most popular.”

Other islands that made it to US News & World Report’s “World’s Best Islands to Visit for 2025” list include Sardinia (Italy), Mauritius, Santorini (Greece), the Faroe Islands, Cyprus, Tahiti, the Whitsunday Islands, South Island (New Zealand), Bora Bora (French Polynesia), the Galápagos Islands, Bermuda, the Azores, Capri, Madagascar, Zanzibar, the Bahamas, Fiji, Bali (Indonesia), St. Lucia, Maui, Corfu, the Maldives and Hvar (Croatia).

Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco welcomed the recognition, saying, “This incredible honor affirms what we Filipinos have always known: that Palawan, with its pristine turquoise waters, towering limestone cliffs, majestic underground rivers and rich biodiversity, is truly a paradise unlike any other.”

Palawan among world's best islands for 2024

Palawan among world's best islands for 2024

Melanie Uson
Philstar Life
22 October 2024

Palawan was named among the best islands to visit by a New York-based travel magazine. 

Banul Beach, Coron

In Travel + Leisure's World’s Best Awards for 2024 list, Palawan ranked 13 with a reader score of 90.59. 

The island, known for its “unparalleled natural beauty,” boasts stunning limestone cliffs, lagoons, and rainforests.  

Kayangan Lake, Coron

Barracuda Lake, Coron

Travelers can explore preserves such as the Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature, and learn about cultural practices from Indigenous communities like the Batak and Tagbanua tribes,” the description reads. 

Subterranean River National Park, Puerto Princesa City

Topping the list is the ever-famous Maldives, followed by Phú Quốc, Vietnam, and claiming the third spot is Bali, Indonesia. 

Palawan is also included in the travel magazine’s five favorite islands in Asia this 2024. 

In the Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards, readers were surveyed about their travel experiences in hotels, resorts, cities, islands, airlines, and more, and rated it either excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor. 

Islands were evaluated based on their natural attractions and beaches, activities and sights, restaurants and food, people and friendliness, and overall value.

In January, Palawan was also included in TripAdvisor’s Trending Destinations for this year, following Tokyo, Japan in the first spot; Seoul, South Korea in second; and Halong Bay, Vietnam in the third spot.

In March, the Hidden Beach in El Nido, Palawan placed 19th in Condé Nast's Traveler's 34 best beaches worldwide.