Luzon Makes it to Global Top Trending Destinations List
Luzon isn’t just one of the world’s biggest islands; it’s now also a global top trending destination. According to this year’s Traveler’s Choice Awards Best of the Best Destinations from online travel review platform TripAdvisor, Luzon, which is the 15th largest island in the world by land area, placed 13th among the top 25 trending destinations in the world and also ranked 23rd among the Best of the Best Destinations in Asia.
“The biggest island in the Philippines, Luzon is also one of the most diverse—it’s where mountain peaks and volcanoes meet miles of coastline, and indigenous culture melds with Spanish colonial history,” Tripadvisor said in its write-up. “You can relax at the beach in Pagudpud, hike with locals up the Batad Rice Terraces, ride in a horse-drawn carriage in Vigan, and snack on street food and dance the night away in Manila. You’ll need a few days and a bus pass, but you’ll be glad you stayed.”
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According to the latest data from the Department of Tourism (DOT), there were about 28.57 million tourists in Luzon in 2023. About four million of that number were foreign nationals, while about 24.57 million were domestic travelers, while the remaining 25,000 were overseas Filipinos. Most foreign travelers in Luzon, at 2.36 million, visited the National Capital Region (Metro Manila).
Osaka topped Tripadvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Awards Best of the Best Destinations in Asia. The category was dominated by destinations in Vietnam, with three entries placing among the top 10: Hanoi (second place), Hoi An (fourth), Ho Chi Minh (10th). Other countries like Thailand, India, and Indonesia, also had three destination each in the category.
Meanwhile, London topped the platform’s 25 Best of the Best Destinations in the World, which had six Southeast Asian locations in the lineup: Bali (second place, overall), Hanoi (seventh), Bangkok (10th), Hoi An (11th), Siem Reap (14th), and Phuket (16th).
“These destinations are our top spots for good reason—they’ve got everything travelers are looking for and more,” Tripadvisro said. “The Travelers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best title celebrates the highest level of excellence in travel. It’s awarded to those who receive a high volume of above-and-beyond reviews and opinions from the Tripadvisor community over a 12-month period. Out of our eight million listings, fewer than one percent achieve this milestone.”
Tripadvisor also came out with a Best of the Best Hotels in the World and in Asia, but no Philippine hotel or resort made it to either list. However, Discovery Coron in Palawan placed 19th among Tripadvisor’s 20 Best of the Best All-inclusive hotels in Asia, earning a 4.4-rating from 1,744 reviews.
“Discovery Coron is a secluded island resort in a Unesco Biosphere Reserve, offering beachfront cottages with private balconies and stunning views. Dive into activities like snorkeling, kayaking, or paraw sailing, or relax by the pool,” said Tripadvisor. “Savor delicious meals at the restaurant and enjoy warm hospitality. With lush surroundings and personalized service, it’s a perfect tropical escape.”
Among 3,000 Philippine properties listed on Tripadvisor, 234 received Traveler’s Choice Awards this year. The top 12 were: The Funny Lion El Nido (ranked 5/5), The Funny Lion-Coron (4.9), The Funny Lion-Puerto Princesa (4.9), Clark Marriott Hotel (4.9), Mandarin Nest Boracay (4.9), Coast Boracay (4.9), Ferra Hotel and Garden Suites Boracay (4.9), The Bellevue Manila in Alabang (4.4), Swissôtel Clark (4.8), Marco Polo Ortigas (4.7), The Cocoon Boutique Hotel in Quezon City (4.7), and Hotel 101 Manila (4.7). Check out the full list here.
