Boracay sunset. șÚÁÏÉç
MANILA, Philippines â Boracayâs inclusion in Time Magazineâs 50 âWorldâs Greatest Places of 2022â could help the country attain its goal of taking back its position in the global market, said the Department of Tourism (DOT) on Wednesday.
In a statement, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said the recognition has affirmed DOTâs âpride and honor.â
âSuch recognition will surely help us attain our goal of regaining our position in the global market,â said Frasco said, underscoring that aside from Boracay, there are plenty more tourist sites that the country could offer the world.
âIn addition to natural resources, we look forward as well to developing and promoting the talents of our people and the products that have [the] potential for national and global marketability,â she added.
Extraordinary places
Timeâs article titled âThe worldâs greatest places of 2022â comfortably lists Boracay among what it called 50 âextraordinary destinations to explore,â citing nominations it received from its âinternational network of correspondents and contributors with an eye toward those offering new and exciting experiences.â
READ: Boracay is among 50 of âworldâs greatest places of 2022â
In particular, the article said that Boracay was among the many destinations âcharting a path to economic recovery.â
âThis year, paradise reopens on the Philippinesâ Boracay Island, which had been closed for years due to overtourism and then the COVID-19 pandemic,â it stated.
Boracay joined other world-famous destinations and natural wonders, including the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, the World Cup stadiums of Doha, Qatar, and Galapagos Island in Ecuador.
âC±đČőČő±èŽÇŽÇ±ôâ
In 2018, then-President Rodrigo Duterte called Boracay island âa cesspoolâ and closed it to local and foreign tourists for rehabilitation.
The famous beach destination then partially reopened in October of the same year before closing again during the COVID-19 pandemic due to various health and movement restrictions.
It then reopened in October 2020 but with a limited number of visitors.
RELATED STORIES:
Boracay pins hope on Marcos admin to finish island rehab
Local tourists sustain Boracay