The
British Daily Telegraph named the Philippines on January 7, 2014, among
the Top 20 destinations for 2014 because of its white-sand beaches,
glorious landscapes and wildlife, recommending as must-see places the
islands of Panglao in Bohol, Boracay in Aklan, and Malapascua in Cebu,
and citing for culture and adventure of Donsol in Sorsogon, and the
Cordilleras for its indigenous people and the Banaue rice terraces, a
protected heritage site by the United Nations Educational Scientific and
Cultural Organization, as well as Palawan for its limestone peaks,
caves, crystal-clear bathing spots, and underground river in Puerto
Princesa.
The Telegraph, founded in 1855, cited Boracay as the Philippines’ most famous beach, “a white-sand beauty that is also the place to go to party, whether at a low-key beach shack or chick cocktail bar.” It recommended the Philippines for island-hopping between sugary beaches that, it noted, receive far fewer tourists than they should. It noted that Filipinos love fiestas and tourists should see them in celebratory mood by joining famous traditional festivities such as the various fiestas in honor of the Sto. Niño – Ati-Atihan, Sinulog, Binirayan, and Dinagyang. “Participants don feathers, paint their faces and dance to drums; the atmosphere is infectious,” it said.
The Telegraph said that the Philippines is more accessible from London’s Heathrow Airport through the nation’s flag carrier.
Other
destinations in the top 20 list this year because of their cultural and
natural wonders are Glasgow in Scotland, Papua New Guinea, Matera in
Italy, Bordeaux in France, Jerusalem in the Middle East, America’s
Charleston, Chengdu in China, Liuwa Plain National Park in Zambia,
Sumatra in Indonesia, Alacati in Turkey, Egadi in Italy, Canouan Island
in the Carribean, Kashmir in India, El Salvador, The Ganges in India,
Stewart Island in New Zealand, Darwin in Australia, and Red Mountain in
Canada.
The Manila Bulletin, led by its Chairman of the Board of
Directors Dr. Emilio T. Yap, President and Publisher Atty. Hermogenes P.
Pobre, Executive Vice President Dr. Emilio C. Yap III, Editor-in-Chief
Dr. Cris J. Icban Jr., Business Editor Loreto D. Cabañes, Officers and
Employees, congratulate the Department of Tourism, headed by Secretary
Ramon R. Jimenez Jr., Undersecretaries Daniel G. Corpuz, Atty. Maria
Victoria V. Jasmin, Ma. Theresa I. Martinez, and Assistant Secretary for
International Tourism Promotions Benito C. Bengzon Jr., for their
collective efforts in upgrading tourism facilities and infrastructure in
top destinations for our Filipino people in our Republic of the
Philippines that are lauded in international publications, travel and
tour magazines and online surveys. CONGRATULATIONS AND MABUHAY
