This Lesser-Known Tropical Island Is One Of The Top Trending Destinations In Asia
Last Updated
Tourism in Asia is back with a vengeance now that journey is simpler than it has been for a few years.
All of the highest vacationer hotspots, together with Indonesia’s Bali and Thailand’s Phuket, which have been nearly sealed off for years, have soared in recognition as soon as extra.
With that being stated, these traditional resort locations are usually not the one ones chargeable for reviving Asia’s badly broken tourism sector. There is a lesser-known tropical paradise that used to obtain far fewer guests in years previous that’s now one of many trendiest island getaways within the area.
This 12 months, Westerners have given the attractive Palawan an opportunity, and understandably so, they already can’t get sufficient of it:
A Hidden Gem Of Southeast Asia
The Philippines is way from being probably the most visited nation in Southeast Asia, lagging behind the likes of Thailand and its annual 15 million vacationers, the extremely developed Singapore, and Vietnam with its in depth sandy shoreline.
Overall, it is just the sixth-most visited vacation spot within the subcontinent. That’s to not say it lacks magnificence, nor that it’s, in any approach, inferior to its counterparts.
In truth, the Philippines may be thought-about one of many final surviving unspoiled tropical archipelagos on this planet.
Scattered in hundreds of items across the South China Sea, the archipelagic nation is solely jam-packed with paradisaical islands and untouched reserves, more and more uncommon finds in mainland Southeast Asia, the place fast improvement threatens to disturb the ample nature.
Top 5 Travel Insurance Plans For 2023 Starting At $10 Per Week
Easily Earn Points For Free Travel
Other than its ‘metropolitan’ islands, comparable to Luzon, the place the bustling nationwide capital of Manila is positioned, or Cebu, the place the sprawling Cebu City serves as a monetary heart, different smaller islands that make up the Philippines have retained their quaint character.
One such island is Palawan, with a inhabitants of over 900,000, distributed throughout the compact capital of Puerto Princesa, the place round 300,000 stay, and smaller settlements resting both on the coast or the mountainous, verdant inland.
Why Is Palawan So Trendy Right Now?
Puerto Princesa International Airport, the primary entry level into the island, hosts solely a restricted variety of flights, largely home ones originating from throughout the Philippines, which helps hold tourism ranges below management and protect the island’s distinctive character.
It is, in spite of everything, recognized nationally because the Philippines’ ‘best island’, with Filipinos themselves deciding on Palawan as their ‘preferred travel destination’. According to an official survey, as many as 23% of these surveyed categorical a want to go to the island.
You could also be questioning why that’s so.
Palawan is finest recognized for its miles on miles of unruffled sands, lapped by crystal-clear waters, exuberant marine biodiversity, and relaxed ambiance. It is someplace you go to flee the loopy site visitors in Manila and the urbanization points Cebu City faces.
Compared to different Southeast Asian islands, comparable to Thailand’s Phuket, it’s a lot quieter and extra peaceable, with fewer ‘entertainment zones’, and a stronger give attention to ecotourism and wellness, which is certain to put Palawan on the entrance of Asia’s tourism rebound.
In case you’ve gotten forgotten, wellness is among the high journey traits this year.
Palawan Is A Force Of Nature
Some of the primary sights in Palawan embody the capital of Puerto Princesa itself. It is traversed by a UNESCO-listed underground river and boasts some lovely colonial-era structure (if you happen to want somewhat reminder, the Philippines was as soon as below Spanish rule).
As these have been left nearly unscathed amid Southeast Asia’s wrestle for independence from European powers, Palawan has a excessive focus of historic church buildings, civic buildings, and monuments courting again to this era.
Its biggest asset, nevertheless, is its breathtaking nature, with lengthy miles of sandy seashores surrounding the coast and turquoise lagoons. Travelers usually describe Palawan as being ‘Avatar-like’, in reference to James Cameron’s 2009 blockbuster movie, set in a fantastical world of distinctive geological formations.
This description isn’t too far off, as Palawan is house to an in depth checklist of pure wonders. When searching for an escape into nature, guests usually head to El Nido seashore, a tranquil swimming spot bounded by the bright-blue ocean and flanked by a steep karst cliff.
Day journeys to smaller islands within the wider Palawan province are additionally a well-liked exercise.
Palawan Tourism Is On The Rise
As Palawan News experiences, the Filipino vacation spot is recording a file surge in tourism this 12 months within the wake of the nation’s reopening for tourism and rekindled curiosity in Southeast Asia amongst foreigners, particularly these coming from the Western Hemisphere and Europe.
The partial information recorded by the Department of Tourism, or Tourism Live Inventory and Statistics of Tourist Arrivals, shortened to TOURLIST, demonstrates {that a} complete of 765,991 guests visited Palawan between January and June 2023, at a whopping 136% improve year-on-year.
Out of these, almost half are foreigners. As seen right here, worldwide guests have gotten extra quite a few, however Palawan’s seashores, boutique inns, and wellness retreats are but to be overrun by them.
Additionally, the most well-liked location for vacationers staying in Palawan is the small city of El Nido, which attracted almost 300,000 for the primary semester, almost 4/10 of the overall arrivals.
In second place, Puerto Princesa, the regional capital, logs 269,090, adopted by Coron and its 75,756 visitors, San Vincente’s 52,057, and at last, Linapacan with 16,654.
Leading the way in which among the many locations in Palawan is the city of El Nido, attracting probably the most variety of guests at 294,065, accounting for a 38.39% share of the overall vacationer arrivals within the province.
All of the locations above are well-known for his or her proximity to nature, proving but once more these vacationing in Palawan are actively trying to find nature-based actions.
The World’s Most Desirable Island
Last 12 months, Palawan was topped the ‘Most Desirable Island’ within the Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards, as voted by the general public, in addition to named the ‘Most Preferred Destination’ throughout the Philippines by locals, in a survey carried out by PUBLiCUS Asia, Inc.
Provincial Tourism Offer Maribel Buñi is recorded stating, ‘this calls for more proactive initiatives and measures to ensure that we provide excellent service and offer quality tourism products for our visitors to have a memorable experience while they are on our island.’
As Buñi famous, the aim isn’t solely to extend the variety of arrivals but in addition to advertise longer stays and ‘bigger spending’.
Could we anticipate this Filipino oasis to comply with within the footsteps of Bali and launch its very personal Long-Stay Visa within the close to future?
That is but to be seen, however we certainly wouldn’t be stunned.
Traveler Alert: Don’t Forget Travel Insurance For Your Next Trip!
↓ Join Our Community ↓
The Travel Off Path Community FB group has all the newest reopening information, conversations, and Q&A’s occurring each day!
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS
Enter your e-mail deal with to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s newest breaking journey information, straight to your inbox.
This article initially appeared on TravelOffPath.com