Palawan, Boracay top World’s Best Islands list

MANILA, Philippines - Palawan has dislodged Boracay as the best island for international travelers, based on a recent survey conducted by New York-based Travel+Leisure magazine.

This is the first time that Palawan became part of the international travel magazine’s list, even pushing Boracay, which previously ruled the rankings, to second place.

In the survey dubbed “2013 World’s Best” conducted from December 2012 to April 2013, Travel+Leisure magazine readers gave Palawan a score of 95.04 points as against Boracay’s 93.58.

The respondents selected for the survey rated the islands based on their natural attractions and beaches as well as their activities, food and people.

Palawan and Boracay beat other world-famous islands in the list, even those that are in Travel+Leisure’s hall of fame.

The island of Maui in Hawaii ranked third this year, followed by Santorini in Greece and Prince Edward Island in Canada.

Other islands in the top 10 list were Bali in Indonesia, Kauai in Hawaii, Sicily in Italy, Koh Samui in Thailand and the Galapagos in Ecuador.

Last year, Palawan hogged the limelight after its famous tourist attraction, the Puerto Princesa Underground River, was named one of the new seven wonders of nature.