The boat is in a beach in San Francisco town, Camotes Islands. (Photo by: Boboi Costas.)
Official cites need to build more rooms, improve accessibility
Camotes Islands in north Cebu got a special boost when it was mentioned in the Conde Nast Traveler Magazine’s 2015 annual reader’s poll.
It suggested that visitors to Cebu go to Camotes “to get a true taste of island life.”
Cebu is back in the luxury travel magazine’s list of Best Islands in the World but fell from no. 3 in 2013 to no. 19 this year.
It wasn’t a fall from success.
A closer look showed that the overall score of “Cebu and the Visayas” two years ago at 80.4 points was actually the same in the current poll.
There were just more island destinations that scored well with their excellent natural attractions and services like Bali, Bora-bora, and Tasmania. (See list of top 10).
A total of 128,000 readers of the American magazine took part in the 28th Annual Readers’ Choice Survey, which is available through a secure website.
Results were announced on October 20. The survey ranked the world’s best cities, islands, cruise lines, airlines, hotels, and resorts.
This year, the magazine again cited Cebu’s beaches, restaurants, shopping and friendliness as reasons tourists love to come to Cebu.
It also put the spotlight on Camotes Islands.
The palm tree shadows is a beach in Mangodlong in San Francisco, Camotes. (Photo by: Boboi Costas.)
The Camotes group of Islands lies 34 nautical miles north of Cebu City and has four towns: Poro, San Francisco, Tudela and Pilar. It is famous for its beaches and a laid-back atmosphere.
Camotes Island Sustainable Tourism Board president Joel Pulvera, who owns three resorts in Camotes, told Cebu Daily News it was an honor to be recognized but cautioned that a lot of work has to be done for Camotes tourism.
“Dili pa gyud kaya,” he said of the luxury travel market niche.
“We have issues with accommodation, transportation and power supply.”
He lamented the lack of flights or regular sea trips to Camotes. And rooms have not been upgraded except for two resorts.
“On a scale of one to ten, I rate my accommodation a six,” Pulvera said of his resort.
Only two other Philippine destinations made it to the magazine’s list: Palawan, which maintained its no. 1 ranking since last year and Boracay at No. 15.
Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa, a Lapu-Lapu City-based hotel, was the only Philippine hotel that made it to the Top 100 Hotels and Resorts in the World at No. 51 with a rating of 94.916 points.
It was also voted number 3 in the Top 25 Resorts in Asia, beating Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle Chiang Rai in Thailand at number 5. The Four Seasons was the only resort in the world to score a perfect overall 100 in the 2011 Conde Nast Traveler resort ranking.
El Nido Resorts-Pangulasian Island in Palawan ranked number 19 in the Top 25 Resorts in Asia with a rating of 83.647 points.
Palawan’s unique selling point is the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River, one of the new seven natural wonders of the world and one of the longest underground rivers in the world, while Boracay’s coastlines, sunsets and nightlife have made it a prime tourist destination.
Palawan got an overall rating of 85.93 points and Boracay with 80.85 points.
Readers used a five-point scale: excellent, very good, good, fair, and poor. The percentage of excellent and very good ratings determines the final score published.
Just ahead of Cebu is St. Lucia (80.569), the Caribbean country which has the Pitons, the island’s two mountainous volcano spires and lush rainforests which Cebu lacks.
The island of Mykonos in Greece is a notch higher than Boracay. Both destinations are known for its hedonistic appeal, but Boracay lacks historical attractions.
Rounding up the top 20 Best Islands in the World are Cook Islands (81.326); British Virgin Islands (80.960); St. John, US Virgin Islands (80.939); Mykonos, Greece (80.938); Boracay, Philippines; Maldives (80.83); Orkney Islands, Scotland (80.603); St. Lucia (80.569); Cebu, Philippines; and Hvar & Dalmatian Islands, Croatia (80.264).
Of the Five Best Islands in Asia in 2013, only Bali (ranked 1st in 2013) made it to this year’s World’s Best Islands, ranked at number 8. The islands of Koh Samui and Phuket of Thailand and Lombok, Indonesia were shut out.
Island destinations were rated in activities, atmosphere/ambiance, beaches, friendliness, lodging, restaurants and scenery. Resorts were rated on activities/facilities, food/dining, location, overall design, rooms and service.