PH is Asia’s top beach and dive destination for the fifth and third time in World Travel Awards 2021
The Philippines has once again bagged two awards at the 2021 World Travel Awards—Asia’s leading beach destination and Asia’s leading dive destination—at the 28th edition of WTA.
This is the Philippines’ fifth time to win Asia's Leading Beach Destination and the third time in a row since 2019 to win the Asia’s Leading Dive Destination award.
The World Travel Awards was established in 1993 to “acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all key sectors of the travel, tourism and hospitality industries.” Today, WTA is recognized globally as the “ultimate hallmark of industry excellence.”
WTA said on its website, “Despite the ongoing global challenges, the appetite for travel has reached unprecedented levels. Evidence is reflected in the World Travel Awards annual voting figures.”
In 2019, WTA reported a record 1.9 million votes cast, a 17% increase on the previous record. In 2020, a record 2 million votes were cast, with more people taking part than in any other year of WTA's 28-year history, “representing a huge vote of confidence for the travel and tourism industry.”
The Philippines is still in the running for the following World categories of the 28th World Travel Awards:
World’s Leading Beach Destination 2021: Philippines
World’s Leading Dive Destination 2021: Philippines
World’s Leading Island Destination 2021: Siargao, Philippines
World’s Leading Tourist Attraction 2021: Intramuros, Philippines World’s Leading Tourist Board 2021: Philippines, Department of Tourism
You can cast your votes until midnight of Oct. 25 at https://www.worldtravelawards.com/.
Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat said, “We are elated that the country’s pristine beaches and mesmerizing dive spots have once again been cited as the best in Asia by the prestigious 2021 World Travel Awards. We share this recognition with our tourism stakeholders, local government units, partner agencies, and all Filipinos who have been helping us promote our country’s attractions, products, and culture.”
The WTA aims to acknowledge, reward, and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the global travel and tourism industry.
“This will boost our efforts to keep the Philippines as a top-of-mind destination for foreign tourists as we await the resumption of international leisure travel to the country, consistent with our “More Fun Awaits” global campaign,” said Puyat.
DOT said some of the country’s top beach destinations, such as Boracay in Aklan, Siargao in Surigao del Norte, and El Nido and Amanpulo in Palawan, have already opened to domestic tourists and are ready to welcome foreign tourists once international borders reopen.
Top diving spots in the country include the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park in Palawan, Anilao in Batangas, Malapascua and Moalboal in Cebu, Balicasag, Panglao and Anda in Bohol, and Puerto Galera in Oriental Mindoro.
The Department also ensures that the safety of visitors remain is prioritized with the strict implementation of health protocols in destinations that have opened their doors to guests.
More than half or about 65.53% of tourism workers in the country have already received their COVID-19 jabs as of Oct. 16.
Visit www.morefunawaits.com for more of the country’s tourism campaigns.
