In the article “Rising Stars in Travel” by travel writer Jared Ranahan of Forbes.com, the well-respected American business and financial news publication, the Philippines was named among seven countries (the others are Ethiopia, Iran, Myanmar, Georgia, Slovenia and Tunisia) that “have potential to become major tourist destinations in a post-Covid world.”
Even as the global tourism industry struggles in the midst of the unprecedented downturn due to the pandemic, many nations around the world are preparing for a boom in international visitors once travel is more feasible. These seven highly underrated countries have the ingredients to become world-class destinations and establish themselves as a prominent regional force for tourism—pristine natural beauty, historic ruins, and fascinating cultural experiences.
The Philippines offers unique experiences for all kinds of tourists looking for a relaxed and laid-back getaway from the hustle and bustle of their everyday lives, from sandy shores to dreamy mountain scapes to awe-inspiring cities steeped in cultural heritage.
Of course, the No. 1 tourist destination in the country is still the 10.32-sq-km resort island of Boracay, famous for its 4-km long, powder-fine white beach, which is lined with a number of world-class resorts and hotels. Across the island from white beach is Bulabog Beach, a windsurfing and kite boarding mecca. Awarded as the Best Island in the World by the international travel magazine Travel + Leisure (T+L) in 2012, Boracay was also at the top of the “Best Islands in the World” list published by the international magazine Condé Nast Traveler. In 2016, Boracay headed the magazine’s list of “Top 10 Destinations To Watch.”
Similarly, Travel + Leisure cited the island province of Palawan as the world’s best island in the 2020 World’s Best Awards, besting 24 (Galapagos Islands in Ecuador, Maui in Hawaii, Bali in Indonesia, Great Barrier Reef Islands in Australia, etc.) others in the world’s islands category with a score of 94.83. Boracay also made it to No. 14 in T+L’s World Best Island list and was hailed 5th in Asia that same year.
Offering some of the most beautiful white-sand beaches, resorts and scenery such as striking limestone cliffs extending directly from the ocean, here you can also dive in World War II shipwrecks off Coron (a piece of nature and history enveloped in one destination), explore old-growth rain forests and paddle into Puerto Princesa Subterranean River, one of the world’s longest subterranean rivers, a Unesco World Heritage Site (1999) and a New 7 Wonders of Nature in 2012. Last year, Condé Nast Traveler also cited the Hidden Beach in El Nido as one of the 30 Best Beaches in the World.
Speaking of diving, the Philippines was recognized, for the second time, as the world’s leading dive destination during last year’s 27th World Travel Awards, besting other famous dive destinations such as the Azores Islands, Bora Bora, French Polynesia, Cayman Islands, Fiji, Galapagos Islands, Great Barrier Reef, Australia, Maldives and Mexico. Similarly, Intramuros in Manila, a well preserved example of Spanish colonial architecture, was named as the world’s leading tourist attraction winning, for the first time, against Acropolis in Greece, Burj Khalifa in Dubai, Grand Canyon National Park in the United States, Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania and Taj Mahal in India, among others.
Siargao, in Northern Mindanao, also won as the World’s Leading Island Destination. The “Surfing Capital of the Philippines,” its Cloud Nine, a dramatic and powerful reef break, was recently dubbed as the Top 8 among the World’s Best Surfing Spots by CNNGo, a travel site of CNN International. It is also home to beautiful white-sand beaches, naturally carved tide pools, mangrove forests, coves, serene lagoons and caves.
Speaking of Spanish colonial architecture, aside from having world-class diving sites, beautiful white-sand beaches and world-class resorts, Cebu and Bohol are also home to many Spanish-era churches, ancestral houses and watchtowers. Though many Bohol churches were destroyed or heavily damaged during the October 15, 2013 earthquake, almost all have been rebuilt and faithfully restored. When in Bohol, a visit to the Chocolate Hills, a National Geological Monument proposed for inclusion in the Unesco World Heritage List, is a must.
Way up north in Luzon is Vigan, a Unesco World Heritage Site. The best preserved example of a planned Spanish colonial town and one of a few left in the country whose old structures have remained mostly intact, its main draw are its sett pavements, Earthquake Baroque church and stone houses (bahay na bato) which fuse native Philippine and Oriental building design and construction. In May 2015, Vigan was officially recognized as one of the New 7 Wonder s Cities (together with Beirut, Doha, Durban, Havana, Kuala Lumpur and La Paz).
Also up north in Luzon is where you will find the spectacular mountain scenery of Cordillera Administrative Region, home to the spectacular Ifugao Rice Terraces, a Unesco World Heritage Site inscribed in 1995; the 2,922-m (9,640 ft) Mount Pulag (the highest peak in Luzon and the third highest in the country), a mountaineers delight; the much-loved, cloud-wreathed and pine-clad Baguio City, the “Summer Capital of the Philippines;” the mighty and swirling Chico River of Kalinga, a white water rafting and kayaking destination; and Banaue and Sagada (home to the “hanging coffins” and Sumaguing Cave), both heaven for adventurers.