Beautiful destinations that captivate discerning travelers

Tourism is an industry fueled by the need to explore, relax, and unwind.

Some destinations thus become more popular and preferred as they either offer natural wonders and visually captivating sceneries, unique experiences that allow guests to immerse themselves in local culture, cuisine and heritage, or both. Another plus is the availability of infrastructure like expressways, ports and airports, and of hospitality services.

Comfort and accessibility, after all, are particularly important for tourists who travel to relax and de-stress, and the staycationers, who often have limited time for vacation. Travel Pulse 2024, a study conducted by travel booking platform Klook, showed that 73 percent of Filipinos like to take advantage of long weekends, planning staycations, and other bookings during special occasions.

The Philippines is fortunate to have a host of beautiful destinations, many of which have gained renown for their distinctive attributes, experiential promise, world-class infrastructure and hospitality services. Here are some of them.

Palawan province

Palawan is acknowledged to be one of the most beautiful destinations in the Philippines.

In 2023 alone, it received global citations as one of the World’s Most Desirable Countries for Adventure, one of Travel + Leisure’s Top Islands, one of Condé Nast Traveler’s Most Beautiful Places in the World, and among the Top Readers’ Choice. All these cemented the continuing winning streak of the island’s enduring appeal as a sought-after travel destination.

Earlier this year, Palawan was awarded another accolade, this time as one of the Trending Destinations in the World for 2024 on Tripadvisor, the world’s largest travel site for travel deals and reviews.

Among the destinations that resonated with Tripadvisor users include the endangered animals at the Calauit Game Preserve and Wildlife Sanctuary; Coron Island, regarded as one of the best dive sites in the world; and the Puerto Princesa Underground River.

Puerto Princesa is also home to the resort town of El Nido, famous for its stunning beaches, crystal clear waters, limestone cliffs and formations, and biodiverse ecosystems. The local government is likewise developing more key destinations such as Honda Bay, Tagbarungis Eco-Park, Tagkawayan Beach, and the Acacia and Heritage Parks.

Central Luzon

Tourism in Central Luzon has greatly benefited from infrastructure developments and enhanced accessibility across Luzon. Upgrades to Clark International Airport, expressways, and national roads have boosted tourism and business, particularly in the Clark Freeport and Special Economic Zone.

Clark, spanning the provinces of Tarlac and Pampanga, has been thrust into the spotlight as the government enhances this 33,000-ha expanse. These developments have attracted investors, leading to a boom in integrated resorts and luxury hotels.

One pioneer is Hann Philippines, the proponent behind the 11-ha Hann Casino Resort, a luxury integrated entertainment and gaming resort inside Clark Freeport, and the upcoming 450-ha Hann Reserve, a multibillion mountain resort in New Clark City, Tarlac.

Hann Reserve, in particular, is promising as it will soon be home to InterContinental Clark, which will have two restaurants and two bars, meeting spaces for 600 people, the brand’s signature Club InterContinental Lounge, a Health Club and Spa, swimming pool, Kids Club and a retail outlet. This prestigious eco-sanctuary will also have a Banyan Tree branded development, three 18-hole championship golf courses designed by Nicklaus Design, KJ Choi, and Sir Nick Faldo, as well as other ultra-luxury residences, lifestyle commercial centers, international school, and a 10-ha public park.

Cebu province

Experiential tourism is another main reason for travel among millennials and Gen Zs, according to global travel service provider Trip.com. Thankfully, the Philippines is one of the top destinations for experiential tours, particularly for surfing and diving.

Cebu is among the popular destinations, gaining fame not only for its beaches and diving spots, but also for its festivities. Sinulog, one of the country’s grandest and most attended festivals, is more than just a crowd-attracting event, as it also allows tourists to immerse themselves “in an experience that transcends the ordinary”, Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco earlier said.

Another significant tourist pull is purposeful travel. For consecutive years now, the province of Cebu has repeatedly been shortlisted as among Asia’s Leading Wedding Destinations.

Despite being one of the top destinations in the country, Cebu still has a lot of untapped potential for growth as a tourist destination.

In June 2024, the United Nations Tourism Organization urged stakeholders of the province to consider establishing a culinary center to promote gastronomy tourism in Cebu. The UN Tourism defined gastronomy tourism as “a way of promoting understanding among different cultures, and of bringing people and traditions closer together.” It’s an approach that puts food culture and the entire gastronomic experience as the driving factor to attract tourists to learn and immerse themselves in new destinations.

Sources: Inquirer Archives, pna.gov.ph, tourism.gov.ph