Philippines Ranks 8th in World’s Top Tourist Destinations

The Philippines was the eighth best destination in the world to visit in 2015 with Singapore climbing to the number one spot, according to Lonely Planet’s latest guidebook, as reported in the Philippine Star.

Lonely Planet said the destinations are chosen for their “topicality, unique experiences and ‘wow’ factor.”

Joe Bindloss, in an article posted on the Lonely Planet website on Monday, said many would say the time is well overdue for the Philippines to be recognized as the next big travel destination in Southeast Asia.

He added that with more than 7,100 islands, the Philippines has one of the world’s most beautiful coastlines, fringed by dive-tastic coral reefs, sprinkled with sunbathe-ready white sand, backed by swaying palm trees and dotted with simple resorts of nipa-palm thatched huts.

Report also said that Namibia, Lithuania, Nicaragua, Ireland, Republic of Congo, Serbia, St. Lucia and Morocco include the other top destinations.

The travel guide also cited government efforts to boost tourism, the Filipinos’ penchant for street parades and food festivals and the decision of the European Union to lift the travel ban on flag carrier Philippine Airlines, report said.

The report also cited Bindloss’ article on the Philippine jeepney where he wrote: “Try clinging to the back of a jeepney speeding through the crowded streets of Metro Manila.”

“Boarding and disembarking from these supercharged vehicles is conducted at break-neck speed, then it’s back into the traffic, horn blaring, music blasting, and on to the next stop,” Bindloss said.

Source: PhilStar

Image Credit: www.travelonline.ph