Team Out of Town
PH Wins First Leading Dive Destination Award
Manila, Philippines — For the first time, the Philippines has been named the leading dive destination of the world. In the 2019 World Travel Awards (WTA) held in Oman, the country has grabbed its very first leading dive destination award (link), besting eight dive destinations.
These nominated destinations for the said award include the Cayman Islands, Bora Bora in French Polynesia, Azores Islands, Fiji, Great Barrier Reef in Australia, Galapagos Islands, Mexico, and the Maldives. It is worth noting that the latter is the previous title holder and it received the same award four times in the past.
Amanpulo Resort, in the meantime, which is located in Palawan was also tagged as the World’s Leading Dive Resort during the gala event.
In a statement, published through the Philippine News Agency, Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said that the Philippines is home to the highest concentration of coral reef life and a vast array of marine species.
“This latest recognition is a validation that the Philippines is truly a premier dive destination,” said Secretary Puyat.
Back in October, the Philippines was named the Leading Dive Destination in Asia in the WTA held in Vietnam. The DOT also received the Asia’s Leading Tourism Board award in recognition of the government’s efforts to boost visitor arrivals in the earlier year.
That’s not all. The Banwa Private Island, which is located in the Philippines, grabbed the World’s Leading Luxury Private Island Resort award during the 2019 WTA Grand Final Gala Ceremony.
It can be remembered that the DOT hosted an array of dive-centric events in the previous years, which include the very first Philippine International Dive Expo, the Travel Trade Support through Dive Travel Exchange B2B meetings, as well as the Anilao Underwater Shootout photography contest.
The World Travel Awards was founded way back in 1993 in a bid to recognize organizations in the tourism, travel, and hospitality industries across the globe. The WTA organizes its Grand Tour that is being done every year. It is a series of six regional gala ceremonies.
Searching for best hotels and affordable flights? Check out our complete list of affordable hotels and resorts via Agoda or you may also see available Airbnb properties in the city.
Want more updates about Carabao Island? Please follow #TeamOutofTown, on Facebook, and Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest for more travel ideas.
Also read: 12 Photos That Prove Anilao Is One Of The Best Diving Destinations In The World
