Boracay, Palawan among Asia’s Best Islands in 2025 Condé Nast Traveler Awards
ILOILO CITY – The Philippines’ world-renowned islands once again captured international acclaim as Boracay and Palawan islands were named among the Top Islands in Asia in the 2025 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards.
Boracay ranked 4th in both the UK-based Condé Nast Traveller and US-based Condé Nast Traveler lists, reaffirming its global status as one of the region’s premier beach destinations.
Meanwhile, Palawan placed 5th in the US edition, highlighting its continued appeal among international travelers.
Boracay earned a score of 92.65, trailing behind Indonesia’s Bali and Lombok, and Sri Lanka, in a Condé Nast Traveller (UK) ranking dated Oct. 7. The publication praised the island’s pristine waters and vibrant local culture that continue to attract visitors from across the globe.
In the Condé Nast Traveler (US) rankings, Boracay received 90.54 points, while Palawan followed closely with 90.23, joining other top Asian destinations such as Vietnam’s Phú Quốc, Malaysia’s Langkawi, and Thailand’s Koh Samui.
These recognitions were based on votes from thousands of readers who shared their personal travel experiences and rated destinations according to natural beauty, hospitality, and overall visitor satisfaction.
Bouncing back
Tourism in Boracay suffered heavily at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic between 2020 and 2021 when travel restrictions were imposed, forcing many hospitality accommodations on the islands to close.
The island’s tourism industry has since bounced back. For the first half of October alone, the island received 66,756 tourists – most of whom were domestic visitors (54,047), according to the Malay-Boracay Tourism Office in a Facebook post on Monday.
Foreign tourists from Oct. 1 to Oct. 15 totaled 12, 238 while visiting Filipino overseas workers numbered 471, the office added.
Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco earlier lauded similar accolades as reflective of the Philippines’ commitment to sustainable and high-quality tourism. “These global recognitions reaffirm our standing as one of the world’s most beautiful destinations,” she said in a previous statement.
The Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards are among the longest-running and most prestigious travel polls in the world, serving as a benchmark for excellence in the global tourism industry.
Boracay’s consistent inclusion in the top five and Palawan’s strong showing underscore the Philippines’ enduring charm among international travelers, further boosting efforts to position the country as a leading tourism destination in Asia.
