 |
| Blessed Virgin Mary Grotto at the White Beach, Boracay. (Photo courtesy of the Department of Tourism) |
MANILA -- The recent naming of Boracay and El Nido as Asia's best
beaches in the TripAdvisor 2019 Travelers' Choice Award reflects acceptance on
the country's reforms and new policies to attain sustainable tourism, Tourism
Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said Sunday.
“We take it that this TripAdvisor citation of Boracay and El Nido is
indicative of the positive reactions to the reforms and new policies being
implemented in an effort to inculcate a culture of sustainable tourism. This
bodes well with our campaign of highlighting the people’s genuine testaments
and reactions to our destinations,” Romulo-Puyat said.
Boracay's White Beach, described as the island’s most popular beach,
was ranked 9th among the beaches in Asia while El Nido, Palawan’s Nacpan Beach
and Las Cabanas Beach were voted as the 13th and 22nd best.
The TripAdvisor’s 2019 Travelers’ Choice Awards ranks beaches,
destinations, attractions, among others, based on millions of traveler reviews
and opinions.
Boracay's White Beach received over six thousand reviews with 62
percent excellent rave reviews and 24 percent very good rating, with most of
the comments acknowledging the successful rehabilitation of the island.
“Boracay still has it! After the six months rehab the Boracay White
Beach is cleaner and clear. It has maintained its popularity among tourists and
locals. It’s really lovely during sunsets. The burst of colors is awesome. I
saw garbage bins which were absent before,” shared TripAdvisor reviewer
mariasusnaf2018.
"The best beach in the world. Experience the new, renovated and
clean White Beach of Boracay. It is excellent for watersports and I can swim
here the whole day. Be careful with the sun and always use your sunblock with
high factor. Food are excellent everywhere you go,” commented jguzon from Oslo,
Norway.
Yapak Beach, the second largest beach in Boracay and is named after the
prevalent white puka seashells, was also listed at 25th.
As of February 27, a total of 320 accommodation establishments in
Boracay accounting to 11,662 rooms have been declared DOT-accredited.
“The Inter-Agency Task Force is excited for the completion of the
island’s rehabilitation; the second phase on April and the third on December
this year. It will further promote the better Boracay and see #MoreFunForever,”
Romulo-Puyat added.
The DOT, together with the Department of Environment and Natural
Resources and the Department of the Interior and Local Government, has
identified El Nido as among the destinations up for rehabilitation.
Last year, the agencies mapped out the rehabilitation plan of El Nido. (By Joyce Ann L.)
