MANILA, Philippines – Move over, Santorini and Bali. Boracay in the Philippines is now No. 1 among island destinations in the world.
Boracay emerged as the “World’s Best Island” in the annual survey of US-based magazine Travel + Leisure, leaping from its spot at No. 4 in 2011’s list.
Respondents of the magazine’s survey, now on its 17th year, were asked to rank their favored islands according to these criteria: Natural attractions, activities/sights, restaurants/food, people, and value.
The results came after the magazine readers, who were screened for ‘integrity,’ participated in a survey that a third party conducted from December 1, 2010 to March 31, 2012.
See the survey results below. Note how the islands moved up or down the list.
|
Rank
|
2011
|
2012
|
| 1 | Santorini, Greece | Boracay, Philippines |
| 2 | Bali, Indonesia | Bali, Indonesia |
| 3 | Cape Breton, Canada | Galápagos, Ecuador |
| 4 | Boracay, Philippines | Maui, Hawaii |
| 5 | Great Barrier Reef Islands, Australia | Great Barrier Reef Islands, Australia |
| 6 | Sicily, Italy | Santorini, Greece |
| 7 | Big Island, Hawaii | Kauai, Hawaii |
| 8 | Kauai, Hawaii | Big Island, Hawaii |
| 9 | Maui, Hawaii | Sicily, Italy |
| 10 | Galápagos, Ecuador | Vancouver Island, British Columbia |
T+L features editor Nilou Mohammed told a Today show interview that Boracay is important because it is “something you should know about when you’re interested in culture and value. It’s a place that’s not really on everyone’s radar but not only does it have hotels that start at US$50 but also incredible hotels like the Shangri-La So you get the high and low.”
Aside from the Best Island list, the magazine also revealed their readers’ favorite hotels, cities, cruise lines, airlines, car-rental agencies, spas, safari outfitters and tour operators.
Discovery Shores in Boracay also bested others in the Asian region as the “World’s Best 2012 Hotel Spa.”
“Barefoot elegance is the prevailing vibe on this tiny island, where the 2 ½-mile stretch known as White Beach is often singled out for having the softest sand in the world,” T+L said about the experience in the luxurious resort.
The magazine’s Editor in Chief Nancy Novogrod will host the awards ceremony for the top winners in each category on July 14 at the new Mr. C Beverly Hills hotel in Los Angeles.
source link: http://www.rappler.com/life-and-style/8275-boracay-beats-santorini,-bali-as-world-s-best-island
Theimahe 
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