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Tourism in Asia does back with a vengeance now traveling is easier than it has been in many years.
All of the top tourist hotspots, including Indonesia’s Bali and Thailand’s Phuket, which were virtually on lockdown for years, have once again surged in popularity.
That said, these classic resort destinations are not the only ones responsible for restoring Asia’s badly damaged tourism industry. There is a lesser known tropical paradise which has attracted far fewer visitors in recent years, is now one of the trendiest island getaways in the region.
This year, Westerners have given beautiful Palawan a chance, and understandably so. they already can’t get enough of it:
A hidden gem of South East Asia
The Philippines is far from the most visited country in Southeast Asia, lagging behind Thailand with its 15 million annual tourists, the incredibly developed Singapore and Vietnam with its extensive sandy coastline.
Overall, it’s just the sixth most visited destination on the subcontinent. That is not to say that it lacks beauty, nor that it is inferior to its counterparts in any way.
In fact, the Philippines can be considered one of the last remaining pristine tropical archipelagos in the world.
Scattered in thousands of stretches around the South China Sea, the archipelago nation is simply full of paradise islands and pristine reserves, increasingly rare finds in mainland Southeast Asia, where rapid development threatens to disrupt abundant wildlife.
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Aside from the “metropolitan” islands, such as Luzon, home to the bustling national capital of Manila, or Cebu, where the sprawling Cebu City serves as a financial center, other smaller islands that make up the Philippines have retained their scenic character.
One of those islands is Palawanwith a population of over 900,000, divided between the compact capital Puerto Princesa, where about 300,000 live, and smaller settlements on the coast or in the mountainous, green interior.
Why is Palawan so trendy now?
Puerto Princesa International Airport, which is the main entry point to the island only a limited number of flightsmainly domestic, originating from the Philippines, keeping tourism under control and preserving the uniqueness of the island.
After all, it is nationally known as the ‘best island’ in the Philippines, with the Filipinos themselves choosing Palawan as their ‘preferred travel destination’. According to a official investigationno less than 23% of the respondents indicate that they want to visit the island.
You may wonder why that is.
Palawan is best known for its miles of pristine sand lapped by crystal clear waters, exuberant marine biodiversity and relaxed atmosphere. It is a place you go to escape from the heavy traffic of Manila and the urbanization problems that Cebu City faces.
Compared to other Southeast Asian islands, such as Phuket in Thailand, it’s a lot quieter and more peacefulwith fewer ‘entertainment zones’ and a stronger focus on eco-tourism and well-being, which will surely put Palawan at the forefront of Asia’s tourism recovery.
In case you forgot, wellness is one of the top travel trends this year.
Palawan is a force of nature
Some of the main attractions in Palawan include the capital Puerto Princesa itself. It is crossed by an underground river that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and boasts some beautiful colonial-era architecture (if you need a little reminder: the Philippines was once under Spanish rule).
Having survived virtually unscathed during Southeast Asia’s struggle for independence from European powers, Palawan has a high concentration of historic churches, public buildings, and monuments dating from this period.
The greatest asset, however, is the breathtaking nature, with miles of sandy beaches around the coast and turquoise lagoons. Travelers often describe Palawan as “Avatar-esque,” in reference to James Cameron’s 2009 blockbuster film, set in a fantastical world with unique geological formations.
This description is not so far off as Palawan is home to one extensive list of natural wonders. When seeking an escape into nature, visitors often head to El Nido Beach, a tranquil swimming spot bordered by the clear blue ocean and flanked by a sheer karst cliff.
Day trips to smaller islands in the wider province of Palawan are also a popular activity.
Tourism in Palawan is on the rise
If Palawan News According to reports, the Philippine destination is registering a record surge in tourism this year in the wake of the country’s reopening to tourism and renewed interest in Southeast Asia among foreigners, especially those hailing from the Western Hemisphere and Europe.
The partial data recorded by the Department of Tourism, or Tourism Live Inventory and Statistics of Tourist Arrivals, abbreviated as TOURLIST, shows that a total of 765,991 visitors visited Palawan between January and June 2023, on a whopping 136% increase year-on-year.
Almost half of them are foreigners. As you can see here, international visitors are on the rise, but Palawan’s beaches, boutique hotels and wellness retreats have yet to be overrun by them.
In addition, the most popular location for tourists staying in Palawan is the small town of El Nido, which attracted nearly 300,000 visitors in the first semester, almost 4/10 of the general arrivals.
In second place is Puerto Princesa, the regional capital, with 269,090 guests, followed by Coron and its 75,756 guests, San Vincente’s 52,057 and finally Linapacan with 16,654.
Leading among the destinations in Palawan is the city of El Nido, which attracts the most visitors at 294,065, accounting for a share of 38.39% of the total tourist arrivals in the province.
All the above destinations are known for their proximity to natureproving once again that those who vacation in Palawan are actively looking for nature activities.
The most desirable island in the world
Last year, Palawan was crowned ‘Most Desirable Island’ in the Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards, as voted by the public, and also named the ‘Most Preferred Destination’ within the Philippines by the local population, according to a survey conducted by PUBLiCUS Asia, Inc.
Provincial tourism offer Maribel Buñi mentions: ‘this calls for more proactive initiatives and measures to ensure we provide excellent service and offer quality tourism products so that our visitors can have a memorable experience while on our island.’
As Buñi pointed out, the goal is not only to increase arrivals, but also to promote longer stays and “bigger spending.”
Can we expect this Philippine oasis to follow in Bali’s footsteps and launch its own long-stay visa in the near future?
That remains to be seen, but it certainly wouldn’t surprise us.
Traveler warning: Don’t forget your travel insurance for your next trip!
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
