A month before the year ends, the Philippine tourism industry has once again reaped accolades from the renowned travel magazine Wanderlust, as the pristine island destination Palawan was cited as the Most Desirable Island among the world's best.

Aside from this, the Philippine Tourism Board, through the Philippine Department of Tourism-Central Visayas Office also placed 6th among hundreds of special entries in the Wanderlust Sustainability Initiative Category for its Dive7 Program.

Wanderlust Travel Awards chooses the best destinations in the world being judged by the best-traveled group of people in the United Kingdom.

Cebu was also nominated this year as the Most Desirable Region throughout the globe by the award-giving body.

"These awards reflect the efforts to revive the tourism industry that are well underway especially because of the Marcos administration's thrust towards prioritizing tourism development. Rest assured that we will continue with our mission to herald the Philippines and the Filipino brand to the world, and to ensure the continued sustainability of our islands," said Tourism secretary Christina Garcia Frasco during the awarding ceremony last 9 November.

Frasco, who led the Philippine delegation to the World Travel Market recently held in London said the future of Philippine tourism remains positive and bright, with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr's support for the industry as a priority in his administration.

"Since we have begun with all the programs and plans of the Marcos administration, we have far surpassed this goal," she said.

"Driving our economic recovery is no other than the Filipino people. We have a young and well-trained workforce who are as kind and gentle as people, as they are courageous and fierce," she added.
These new awards add to the long list of recognitions the country has earned even at the height of the Covid-19 crisis.