Nothing beats the roaring of the Cebuano pride now that Cebu City claimed the first spot in Asia’s Top Ten Islands in Conde Nast Traveler’s conduction of their 33rd annual survey edition of The Best Islands in the World: 2020 Readers’ Choice Award- merged with Visayan Islands as one entry - issued on October 6 by Caitlin Morton with over 600,000 registered voters.
To begin with, Conde Nast Traveler (CNT) is a luxury and lifestyle travel magazine published by Conde Nast three decades ago. This renowned travel magazine is regarded as the Emmy or Oscars for islands and cities in the world. This stupendous scope of worldwide voting’s results is published annually online in October and in print during November.
CNT articulated in its article that as Cebu is located in the middle of the Philippines, it attracts around 2 million travelers yearly for its pristine beaches, and diving off the island’s northern and near the southwest coast such as Kawasan Falls located in the southern town of Badian. The Spanish and Roman Catholic influences were also acknowledged in particular the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño entitled as the Mother and Head of all Churches in the Philippines that houses a small statue of Christ that was presented by Ferdinand Magellan on 1521 along with Ecce Homo (Ivory Bust of Jesus) and an image of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
There is more in Cebu & Visayan Islands than what meets the eye. To mention a few, their gems are as follows: 1) Temple of Leah described as the Taj Mahal of Cebu located at Busay, 2) Sumilon Island known for its lily-white sandbar that varies shape every season, 3) Sirao Garden branded as the “Little Amsterdam” of Cebu and, 4) Osmeña Peak from the town of Dalaguete generally recognized as the “Vegetable Basket of Cebu”.
Tourism Secretary, Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, stated in a news release that the latest citation from the CNT gave the Department of Tourism (DOT) a boost of confidence as they continuously carry out their strategies to gradually reopen domestic tourism, to once again welcome travelers from other countries when things become better. Furthermore, with over 7,641 islands in the archipelago, their journey towards tourism revival, sustainable and responsible tourism development shall continue to be one of the DOT’s core principles, just like how it has always been in the past few years.
This is not the very first time that Cebu entered the list of the said prominent magazine. Last year, Boracay island ranked first place with Cebu coming in on second.
The Best Islands in Asia
1. Cebu & Visayan Islands, Philippines – 95.83
2. Sri Lanka – 95.45
3. Koh Pha Ngan, Thailand – 95.30
4. Palawan, Philippines – 95.22
5. Siargao, Philippines – 95.19
6. Boracay, Philippines – 95.06
7. Lombok, Indonesia – 94.59
8. Phuket, Thailand – 94.12
9. Bali, Indonesia – 93.27
10. Koh Samui, Thailand – 92.73
There is no doubt that the Cebu and Visayan Islands hold within its borders a multitude of splendor and stones not yet unturned. May this serve as an inspiration and aspiration for Cebuanos not to take for granted what they possess and learn to cherish their islands more than before and forevermore.
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