Palawan, Boracay among ‘Best Islands in Asia-Pacific’

MANILA, Philippines — Two popular beach spots in the Philippines entered the list of the “best islands in Asia Pacific” drawn up by a foreign travel website.

Palawan and Boracay were included in this year’s Best Islands in Asia Pacific category of the Luxury Awards 2024 by Travel + Leisure Asia. (https://www.travelandleisureasia.com/global/hotels/luxuryawards2024/luxury-awards-best-cities-islands-asia-pacific-2024/)

Palawan ranked third and Boracay fourth this year, according to the list.

When compared with the 2023 list, Palawan dropped from second in 2023 to third place in 2024, while Boracay rose from fifth in 2023 to fourth place in 2024.

Koh Samui in Thailand topped Travel + Leisure Asia’s Best Islands in Asia Pacific 2024 list, saying “Opulent resorts offer some über-exclusive facilities, (and) there is a burgeoning dining scene and a fiery local cuisine well worth investigating.”

“The powder sands and palms remain, but these days Thailand’s second-largest island proudly flaunts its success,” added the website.

Following Koh Samui were Bali in Indonesia, Palawan, Boracay, Phuket in Thailand, Sri Lanka, Sumba in Indonesia, Penang in Malaysia, Koh Phi Phi in Thailand, and Phu Quoc in Vietnam.

The winners for this year’s edition of the Travel + Leisure Asia Luxury Awards 2024 “were selected by (its) team of editors and expert contributors across Asia Pacific,” wherein the website’s readers cast their votes until March 31, 2024.