Boracay, Philippines basked in the spotlight as Top Island in Asia and Top Island Over-all, during the Travel + Leisure 2012 World’s Best Awards Ceremony, held recently at the brand-new Conrad New York’s Gallery Ballroom.

The World’s Best Island plaques were handed by  Travel + Leisure’s Editor- in-Chief Nancy Novogrod and VP/Publisher Jean-Paul Kyrillos to Ms. Vernie Velarde-Morales, Director of Philippine Tourism for the Chicago and New York offices; Mrs. Abigail Humady-Yap, the wife of Malay (Aklan) Municipal Mayor Jose Yap; and Mr. Wilbur Chan, Chairman of New Coast Boracay. Jun Parreno of Discovery Shores Boracay also received the Top Hotel Spa in Asia award that evening. In attendance to witness the prestigious awards ceremony were New York-based Deputy Consul General Tess de Vega and prominent Fil Am businessman and community leader from Aklan, Rayland Rogan.
 
Now in its 17^th year, the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards feature the crème de la crème of vacation destinations, i.e., hotels, resorts, cruise lines, cities, islands, and the like.  Properties and locations from around the globe are voted on by world travelers and magazine subscribers to come out with the best, - by world region, and over-all.
 
World winners range from the very known and popular, like New York City as top US city, to the more under-the-radar, such the Singita Grumeti Reserves in Tanzania, as the world’s best hotel. As Ms. Novogrod stated, “While some passions change over time, the allure of the exotic and the new remains as strong as ever, as does the attraction to trips that provide distinctive and long-lasting memories.” 
 
Boracay Island, up to #1 from being #4 on the Top Islands list last year, is considered somewhat of a hidden gem to many world travelers. This exotic island destination in the Philippines fits perfectly with Novogrod’s statement, as Boracay has so much to offer travelers, - starting with its powdery-white sand beaches, beautiful view of clear blue skies, refreshing crystal-clear waters, and a vibrant night life. Add to that, the Filipino people’s warmth and hospitality, and everyone will see why “it’s more fun in the Philippines” – and in Boracay!
 
With the announcement of this year’s winners, NBC’s The Today Show aired a segment with Nilou Motamed, the Features Director of Travel + Leisure, on July 6, highlighting some of the winners of this year’s World’s Best Awards, which included Boracay.  The video segment may be viewed at: http://video.today.msnbc.msn.com/today/48092910#48092910.
 
To see who else made the World’s Best List and to see our very own Boracay at the top, please visit www.travelandleisure.com or pick up a copy of the August 2012 print issue available now.

 

 

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