Barbados and the Bahamas placed second and third, according to British travel magazine Wanderlust.
Its annual Reader Travel Awards, celebrating in their 25th year and announced earlier this month, recognize destinations and travel brands that have captured the imagination of its international readership.
This year’s results were determined by 251,461 readers, who cast votes across 25 categories covering countries, cities, islands, regions, tour operators, and travel brands.
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El Nido in Palawan, Philippines, is known for its limestone cliffs, turquoise waters and pristine beaches. Photo by Unsplash |
In explaining the Philippines’s win, Wanderlust highlighted the country’s geographical and cultural diversity. The archipelago has 7,641 islands, offering visitors a range of experiences, from beaches and diving to historical sites and local cuisine.
Among its attractions are the Chocolate Hills in Bohol, limestone caves in Palawan and World War II shipwrecks off Coron, which have become popular diving sites.
The magazine also pointed to the rice terraces and Indigenous cultures of Luzon and the historic district of Intramuros in Manila.
Beyond its natural attractions, the country offers food experiences in Iloilo City, a UNESCO creative city of gastronomy, and diving opportunities at Apo Reef off Mindoro, the country’s largest contiguous coral reef.
Philippine tourism authorities hailed the recognition, saying it reflected the country’s appeal to international travelers.
In a statement, the Tourism Promotions Board quoted its CEO Maria Margarita Montemayor Nograles as saying: “What makes this recognition particularly meaningful is that it comes directly from travelers themselves.
“This Gold Award celebrates the beauty of our islands, but more importantly, the people, cultures, and communities that make every visit memorable.”
The Philippines received 5 million foreign visitors in the first 10 months of 2026, up 15% year on year.