The Philippines reinforced its status as one of the world’s most sought-after destinations with nine World category nominations at the 32nd Annual World Travel Awards (WTA), including bids for the World’s Leading Dive Destination, World’s Leading Beach Destination and World’s Leading Island Destination.
Building on its Asia-level wins, the country returns to the global stage with nine nominations, encompassing three country categories, five destination-specific categories and one for the Department of Tourism (DOT).
DOT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco welcomed the recognition as both an honor and a call to collective action.
“Tourism continues to bring good news for the Philippines, not only through international recognition, but through the livelihoods and jobs it sustains for millions of Filipinos. These nominations reflect the strength of our people’s hospitality, creativity, and resilience, and the world’s continued confidence in the Philippines as a destination of beauty and hope,” Frasco said.
The country seeks a seventh win as World’s Leading Dive Destination 2025 to reclaim the title of World’s Leading Beach Destination 2025 it held in 2022 and 2023. It is nominated for World’s Leading Island Destination 2025.
Destination-specific nominations include Manila for World’s Leading City Destination 2025 and Intramuros as a finalist for World’s Leading Tourist Attraction 2025.
Boracay is also nominated for World’s Leading Luxury Island Destination 2025, Cebu for World’s Leading Wedding Destination 2025 and Clark Freeport Zone, recognized for its expanding MICE infrastructures, for World’s Leading Meeting and Conference Destination 2025.
The DOT is nominated for World’s Leading Tourist Board 2025.
Frasco said tourism remains one of the country’s strongest engines of hope. “We invite everyone to rally behind our country, vote for the Philippines, and take pride in this good news for our nation,” she said.
Adding to the country’s global stature, 16 Philippine private tourism establishments are also nominated across various categories.
