Three islands in the Philippines, including Boracay, Cebu, and Palawan, topped Conde Nast Traveler’s Reader’s Choice Awards 2017’s survey ranking the best islands in the world outside of the United States.
Conde Nast Traveler (CNT), a luxury and lifestyle travel magazine, released the list based on the survey results, which covered places from the Caribbean Beaches to Southeast Asian islands. The survey was conducted among more than 300, 000 travelers who took part in the magazine’s annual Readers’ Choice Awards. The readers, CNT said, said that the listed prominent islands were all present in their choices. The three leading islands of the Philippines ranked higher than other world prominent islands and bested several renowned island destinations such as Mallorca and Ibiza in Spain; Cayman Islands; Mauritius; Mykonos and Santorini in Greece; and Bali, Indonesia. The travel website disclosed that the survey hit a new record of submitting high ratings and comments that helped the website in establishing a list of winning candidates.
Boracay Island was ranked first in the survey, while Cebu and Palawan placed second and third, respectively. Boracay was lauded for its pristine coastlines, awesome and artistic sunsets, and lively nightlife scenery.
Cebu moved up the ranks and landed the second spot. Cebu as part of the Visayan soil was hailed for its mainland impeccable beaches. The prestigious magazine cited also the glamour of the neighboring islands like the Camotes Islands as one place to visit and experience a genuine charm of island life. The magazine said there are multiple direct airline trips to Mactan Cebu International Airport and that the island of Cebu is booming with up-and-coming restaurants and shopping.
Palawan, coming third, was commended for its natural wonders, including the Puerto Princesa Underground River, a Unesco World Heritage Site.
Bali, Indonesia is the only other Asian island that was included in the list.
In 2016, CNT readers ranked Boracay and Palawan in first and second places, while Cebu ranked fifth out of 15 islands.
The best 30 islands in the CNT survey results include the following:
- Boracay, Philippines
- Cebu and Visayan Islands, Philippines
- Palawan, Philippines
- Mallorca, Spain
- Mykonos, Greece
- Bermuda
- St. Bart’s
- Turks and Caicos
- Bali, Indonesia
- Cayman Islands
- St Lucia
- St. John, US. Virgin Islands
- Crete, Greece
- Sardinia, Italy
- Ibiza, Spain
- Antigua
- Vancouver Island, B.C., Canada
- Isla Mujeres, Mexico
- Barbados
- Capri, Italy
- Fiji
- Moorea, French Polynesia
- Bora Bora, French Polynesia
- British Virgin Islands
- Santorini, Greece
- Mauritius
- Anguilla
- Hvar, Croatia
- Madeira, Portugal
- St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
CNT revealed that the respondents of the survey were aged late-30s to late 60s and voted on 255 islands to come up with a list of Top 30 Best Islands in the World outside the U.S. It was the magazine’s 30th annual survey, which also names the best cities, resorts, restaurants, cruises and cities.
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