IT is one of the fastest-growing cities in the Philippines because of its vibrant tourism industry. As one of the Philippines’ major tourist drivers, it is in a class by itself. A World Heritage Site and countless other new and undiscovered wonders of nature can be found here. The city has never been hit by a major earthquake in the last 500 years. This gives someone something that money can’t buy: peace of mind. Seldom visited by typhoons, it is shielded by eastern Philippine islands from the Pacific side. Puerto Princesa City is the next big thing in real-estate development after Clark, Cebu and Davao. To begin with, it has a spanking-new international airport that can accommodate advanced-technology jetliners. Prior to the temporary

TRAVEL AND LEISURE MAGAZINE / July 11, 2017 Unspoiled, sugar-white beaches and world-class scuba diving draw travelers from around the globe to this far-flung island in the Philippines. One reader hailed it as the “single most beautiful place on Earth.” Limestone rock formations add to the stunning picture. These otherworldly shapes rise out of the turquoise sea to create unbelievable seascapes. Visitors can see them on cruises through the archipelago. Every year for our World’s Best Awards survey, Travel + Leisure asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe—to share their opinions on the top cities, cruise ships, airlines, and more. Readers rated islands according to their activities and sights, natural attractions and beaches, food, friendliness, and overall value. Palawan, for

Condé Nast Traveler readers ranked the 30 best islands in the world outside the U.S. in the 2019 Readers' Choice Awards survey, from far-flung stunners in Southeast Asia to volcanic outcrops in the Mediterranean. For our 32nd annual survey—yes, more than three decades—a record 600,000 registered voters weighed in. This year, we've broken them out by region: the best in Asia, Australia and the South Pacific, Caribbean and the Atlantic, Europe, North America, and best in the rest of the world (phew). Don't worry—there's a separate list for the U.S. entirely. As you continue to travel, we continue to listen: Here are the islands around the world you loved most this year. 4. Palawan, Philippines A regular on our list of the world's best islands, Palawan is