Organized by TripZilla, a leading Southeast Asian online travel media outlet, the awards recognize destinations, hotels, attractions, and travel-related businesses across Asia.
The 12th edition of the awards was announced on Nov. 1, with destination winners selected through independent evaluation rather than public voting.
The Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) also received the Best Retiree Support Programme title.
The latest recognition follows the Philippines’s top ranking in the 2026 Retirement Abroad Index published by Expatriate Group, an international health insurance provider.
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An old woman sits by the coast. Illustration photo by Unsplash |
The country ranked first among 20 destinations assessed in five categories: healthcare quality, visa accessibility, health insurance requirements, cost of living, and expat community and integration.
Tourism Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay said the ranking highlighted the Philippines’s efforts to become a more welcoming and accessible destination for foreign retirees, the Philippine Information Agency reported.
She cited its affordable living costs, quality services, natural attractions, and local communities as factors supporting its appeal.
The PRA’s special resident retiree’s visa (SRRV) is a key part of the country’s retirement program, providing eligible foreign nationals and former Filipino citizens with a pathway to long-term residence.
PRA general manager Roberto Zozobrado said his agency aims to attract around 4,000 new retirees annually.
According to figures published by the PRA, the Philippines has 70,900 retirees under its SRRV program.