TGIF FEATURE: Palawan ranked #1 of the top Islands in the world 2015 .

THE ISLAND of Palawan in the Philippines was recently voted the No. 1 island in the world by Conde Nast Traveler magazine readers for the year 2015. In gaining that coveted rank, Palawan displaced Maui, Hawaii, which held that position for 20 years.

The world is divided into two groups of vacationers: those who like the mountains with its Alpine forests and lakes; and then there are  those who prefer tropical islands, with their beaches, lapping waves and warm waters. I fall into the latter category.

I've never been to Palawan and its resorts, but the video above sure is inviting. Here's a link to a series of videos regarding Palawan's appeal produced by Travel Gretl, an amateur videographer and veteran traveler. 

It has taken a long time for the Philippines to recover from the years of the dictatorship and it is still struggling to overcome the oligarchic nature of its politics and society but the archipelago of 7,000 islands is making strides in building up its tourism industry.

Last year, the Philippines' Department of Tourism was internationally recognized for its advertising campaign, "It's More Fun in the Philippines," emphasizing the country's natural assets of long stretches of beaches, palm trees, warm waters, exotic locales and the warmth of the people.

One of the "more fun" posters.

The Philippines is a popular destination for Europeans, Australians and Japanese and just about anybody who dreams of island getaways. However, as a tourist destination, the Philippines has not really caught on in the USA. Perhaps it is the State Department's warnings that dissuades American travelers. That warning to U.S. citizens refers to the southern Philippines and shouldn't affect travel to Palawan.

But with the attention the Philippines is getting from travel writers and agents and as the country's tourism infrastructure continues to improve, hopefully more American tourists - including Filipinos who are U.S. citizens - will discover what the nation - which used to be part of the short-lived American empire and where English is still widely spoken - has to offer.

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