From last year’s number two spot, this world-famous island ranked third in this year’s world’s best island list the international travelers’ magazine Travel + Leisure.
Boracay which is consistent in the list garnered a score of 89.67 this year.
The 2017 list was again topped by another Philippine island, Palawan, with a score of 93.15.
The readers rated islands according to their activities and sights, natural attractions and beaches, food, friendliness, and overall value, according to Travel + Leisure.
The recognition will attract more tourists for Boracay, said Malay Municipal Chief Tourism Officer Felix delos Santos in an interview.
“This will encourage other tourists to experience Boracay, especially our products and services,” Delos Santos said.
Though it was ranked lower by one spot this year, Delos Santos stressed that Boracay continued to enjoy increased in tourism arrivals from all parts of the world.
Data from the local tourism office showed a 13 percent increase in tourism arrivals of Boracay in the first six months of the year.
From January to June 2017, Boracay already received a total of 1,107,167 tourists.
Also included in the list are the islands of Hilton Head Island in South Carolina, Galápagos Islands, in Ecuador; Santorini in Greece; Maui and Kauai in Hawaii; Ischia in Italy; Hvar and the Dalmatian Islands in Croatia and Bali in Indonesia. (KVB/PNA)
