...the world's best islands

Boracay world's 4th best island

By ROBERT R. REQUINTINA

July 17, 2011

Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines -- Boracay Island in the Philippines has been named the fourth Best Island in the world, in the 16th annual “World’s Best Awards” released by an influential American travel and leisure magazine.
 

Known for its white sand beaches, Boracay Island in Aklan received a score of 89.83 in the annual Top 10 Best Island list this year as surveyed by Travel + Leisure Magazine.
 
The Top Island award went to Santorini, Greece, 90.61; Bali, Indonesia was second with 90.45, and Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, 89.90, third.
 
Other islands which made it to the list are the Great Barrier Reef Islands, Australia, 89.68; Sicily, Italy, 89.51; Big Island, Hawaii, 89.11; Kauai, Hawaii, 89.11; Maui, Hawaii, 88.59 also in Hawaii.; and Galapagos, 88.22.

For the Top Island category, the readers voted for natural attractions, activities/sights, restaurants/foods, people, and value.

In the Top 10 cities, Bangkok, Thailand, was the top choice, with a score of 90.49. Second was Florence, Italy, 89.92; and Rome, Italy, 88.45, third.
 
Other top cities in ranking were New York City, USA, 88.40; Istanbul, Turkey, 88.18; Cape Town, South Africa, 88.06; Siem Reap, Cambodia, 87.90; Sydney, Australia, 87.84; Barcelona, Spain, 87.83; and Paris, France, 87.78.

In the Top 10 Hotel Spas category, Discovery Shores also on Boracay Island was ranked No. 7, with a score of 95.63.

The top honor went to Sofitel Queenstown Hotel and Spa in New Zealand, 98.93.
 
Travel + Leisure is 74-year-old magazine based in New York City. It is published by the American Express Publishing Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of American Express Company led by President and chief executive officer Ed Kelly.